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
    Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute was a product of the Basketball Without Borders camp, organized by FIBA and the NBA.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute was a product of the Basketball Without Borders camp, organized by FIBA and the NBA.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 12
    Luol Deng, who was born in Sudan and grew up in the UK, was a standout for the Chicago Bulls and now plays for the Miami Heat.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Luol Deng, who was born in Sudan and grew up in the UK, was a standout for the Chicago Bulls and now plays for the Miami Heat.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 12
    Formerly with the Charlotte Bobcats, Senegal-born DeSagana Diop has gone into coaching -- he is an assistant with the Texas Legends of the NBA Developmental League.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Formerly with the Charlotte Bobcats, Senegal-born DeSagana Diop has gone into coaching -- he is an assistant with the Texas Legends of the NBA Developmental League.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 12
    Hasheem Thabeet of Tanzania made a Final Four appearance as a college player with the University of Connecticut. He played with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA from 2012 to 2014.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Hasheem Thabeet of Tanzania made a Final Four appearance as a college player with the University of Connecticut. He played with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA from 2012 to 2014.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 12
    Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder was born in the Republic of the Congo, though he represents Spain in international competition.
    Photos: Basketball's growth market
    Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder was born in the Republic of the Congo, though he represents Spain in international competition.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 12