How Nigerian Athletes Are Changing Women’s Basketball

Women with Nigerian heritage are making major impacts in the WNBA, both on and off the court. They have added a new layer of talent and cultural pride to the league. 

Some were born in the United States, Europe or Africa itself, and they bring a blend of technical skill and unshakable determination that elevates every team they join

1. Nneka Ogwumike

Nneka Ogwumike has been a force in the league since she was the first overall pick in 2012. A former WNBA Most Valuable Player (2016) and six‑time All‑Star, she brings a complete skill set,scoring inside, grabbing rebounds and leading fast breaks. 

In 2024, she joined the Seattle Storm, where her veteran savvy and basketball IQ help younger players develop. Off the court, Nneka has served as president of the WNBA Players Association since 2016, negotiating for better salaries, improved health benefits and more playing opportunities. 

She also speaks regularly on panels about racial equity and uses her platform to mentor girls in under‑resourced communities.

2. Chiney Ogwumike

Chinenye “Chiney” Ogwumike made her mark at Stanford as a two‑time All‑American before being drafted first overall in 2014. In the WNBA, she became known for her versatile scoring, whether posting up inside or knocking down mid‑range jumpers. 

After injuries shortened her playing career, she pivoted to media and made history as the first Black woman and former WNBA player to host a national ESPN radio show. Chiney’s insightful commentary on NBA and WNBA games has brought women’s basketball analysis to a wider audience. 

She also co‑founded Project Basketball, a nonprofit that enables girls in underserved areas to access basketball skills clinics and academic support.

3. Elizabeth “Ezi” Williams

Born in England to Nigerian parents and raised in Southern California, Elizabeth Williams blends international roots with U.S. college and pro experience. She was named MVP of the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2010, thanks to her shot‑blocking and interior defence. 

Since entering the league in 2015, she has anchored the Chicago Sky’s paint play, averaging strong rebounding and field‑goal percentages. Off the court, Ezi is active in community outreach, running reading programs for schoolchildren and leading basketball camps in both Chicago and Lagos. 

Her ability to mentor younger teammates has become almost as valued as her on‑court presence.

4. Temi Fagbenle

Titilola “Temi” Fagbenle joined the WNBA in 2017 as a member of the Minnesota Lynx, immediately earning a championship ring in her rookie season. A standout at the University of Southern California, she then excelled in Europe, winning EuroCup titles in Spain and Poland. 

In 2024, she signed with the Golden State Valkyries, where her polished post moves and unselfish passing have helped steady the newly formed squad. Away from games, Temi co‑hosts “Positivity & Peeps,” a podcast on mental health and career transitions for athletes, and supports initiatives that bring sports facilities to underprivileged Nigerian towns.

5. Michaela Onyenwere

Michaela Onyenwere arrived in the league as the sixth overall pick in 2021 and immediately lived up to the hype. She swept every Rookie of the Month award in her debut season and became the first New York Liberty player to win Rookie of the Year. 

Her explosive drives to the basket, combined with an improving outside shot, make her a dynamic offensive threat. In 2024, she moved to the Chicago Sky, where she continues to refine her all‑around game. 

Off‑court, Michaela is known for her advocacy around women’s empowerment in sports and frequently hosts youth basketball clinics in her hometown of Los Angeles and in Abuja.

6. Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen

At just 21, Kiki Iriafen’s rise has been meteoric. The Washington Mystics chose her with the fourth overall pick in 2025 after a standout college career at South Carolina. In her first month, she averaged nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, earning May’s Rookie of the Month. 

Kiki combines strength in the post with surprising agility on the perimeter, making her a matchup problem for opponents. Beyond her rookie heroics, she actively partners with Nigerian youth groups to provide sports equipment and nutrition workshops, inspiring girls back home to pursue athletics.

7. Ezi Magbegor

Eziyoda “Ezi” Magbegor, born in Australia to a Nigerian father, made history before joining the WNBA by leading the Opals to Olympic bronze in Paris 2024,scoring 30 points in the medal match. Drafted in 2020 by the Seattle Storm, she has since become one of the league’s top defensive centres, earning two All‑Defensive Team honours. 

Her shot‑blocking timing and rim protection are key, even veteran teammates praise her intensity in practice. Off the floor, Ezi works with relief organisations in Nigeria, helping to supply basketball gear and build courts in rural communities.

8. Anastasiia Kosu

Anastasiia Olairi Kosu blends Nigerian and Russian heritage, giving her a unique global perspective. She starred in Russia’s Premier League, earning back‑to‑back Player of the Year awards before the Minnesota Lynx drafted her 15th overall in 2025. 

At 20, her European‑style footwork and basketball IQ stand out; coaches call her “a coach on the floor” for her court vision. In her rookie season, she has averaged double‑digit scoring off the bench. 

Beyond stats, Anastasiia has begun partnering with cultural exchange programs that use basketball to foster understanding between Nigeria and Eastern Europe.

9. Arike Ogunbowale

Arike Ogunbowale shot to national fame with back‑to‑back buzzer‑beaters that won the 2018 NCAA Final Four. Drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Wings, the 28‑year‑old guard quickly made two All‑Star Game MVP teams (2021, 2024), setting a record 34 points in her latest All‑Star appearance. 

Known for her fearless shooting and clutch gene, Arike draws fans by the thousands. Off-court, she founded the Ogunbowale Youth Foundation, which offers basketball scholarships and leadership camps for underprivileged teens in Milwaukee and Lagos. Her “Rise Up” campaign celebrates female athletes overcoming adversity.