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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute was a product of the Basketball Without Borders camp, organized by FIBA and the NBA.
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    Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute was a product of the Basketball Without Borders camp, organized by FIBA and the NBA.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Senegal's center Gorgui Dieng -- seen dunking on Spain's forward Serge Ibaka (who was born in the Republic of the Congo) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships round of 16 match Spain vs. Senegal -- starred for Louisville in college and currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.