Following soccer's lead: Africans will proliferate NBA, says Raptors president

    By Motez Bishara, CNN

    Updated 1046 GMT (1846 HKT) January 25, 2016

    Congolese forward Bismack Biyombo (#8) of the Toronto Raptors is one of 10 African players in the NBA this season.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Congolese forward Bismack Biyombo (#8) of the Toronto Raptors is one of 10 African players in the NBA this season.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 12
    Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who is Nigerian, runs camps to develop African basketball talent. He says Africans will proliferate the NBA in the coming years.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who is Nigerian, runs camps to develop African basketball talent. He says Africans will proliferate the NBA in the coming years.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 12
    Hakeem Olajuwon won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets and is the greatest Africa-born player to serve in the league. Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria but calls Houston home.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Hakeem Olajuwon won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets and is the greatest Africa-born player to serve in the league. Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria but calls Houston home.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 12
    Dikembe Mutombo was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He arrived at Georgetown University speaking no English, but graduated in 1991 with a degree in linguistics and diplomacy. The 7-foot 2-inch center played on six NBA teams, making eight All-Star appearances.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Dikembe Mutombo was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He arrived at Georgetown University speaking no English, but graduated in 1991 with a degree in linguistics and diplomacy. The 7-foot 2-inch center played on six NBA teams, making eight All-Star appearances.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 12
    Nigerian Festus Ezili earned a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in June 2015.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Nigerian Festus Ezili earned a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in June 2015.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 12