Nigerian heritage duo Obi, Williams drafted into WNBA News

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Nigerian heritage duo Obi, Williams drafted into WNBA

By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 15, 2026

Two players of Nigerian heritage, Jordan Obi and Serah Williams, were selected in the 2026 Women’s National Basketball Association Draft in the early hours of Tuesday, marking another milestone for Nigeria-linked talents in global women’s basketball, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Obi, a former University of Pennsylvania standout, was picked 44th overall by the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the first player in the programme’s history to be drafted into the league.

Her selection capped a remarkable collegiate journey that saw her overcome a season-ending lower leg injury in 2024 to return and secure a professional opportunity two years later.

During her time with Penn, Obi built an impressive résumé, earning three All-Ivy League selections, including a first-team honour in her final year, as well as first-team All-Big Five recognition. She also reached the 1,000-point milestone, becoming the 25th player in programme history to do so and the seventh fastest to achieve the feat.

In her senior season, she averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, finishing as the team’s leading rebounder and second-highest scorer. Her consistent performances ensured she started in all but one game during her collegiate career.

Obi later transferred to the University of Kentucky, where she remained influential, averaging nine points and six rebounds per game in her final season while shooting a career-best 51.8 per cent from the field. She helped Kentucky to a 25–11 record and a place in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Williams, meanwhile, was selected 33rd overall by the Connecticut Sun, continuing the strong Nigerian connection within the league.

Born in the United States, raised in Canada and rooted in Nigeria, she adds to the growing list of players of Nigerian descent making strides at the highest level.

Her selection also extended the rich drafting tradition of the University of Connecticut, which has now produced 52 WNBA draft picks since the league’s inception in 1997.

Williams enjoyed a productive collegiate career, finishing with 1,748 points, 951 rebounds and 262 blocks, while earning the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award and multiple All-Big Ten honours.

In her lone season at UConn, she immediately became a starter, helping the team to conference success and a run to the Final Four. She now joins fellow UConn alumni within the Connecticut Sun organisation as she begins her professional career.

The latest selections further highlight Nigeria’s growing footprint in the WNBA Draft, with players of Nigerian origin continuing to feature prominently over the years.

Notable names include Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike, both former number one overall picks, as well as Evelyn Akhator, Ify Ibekwe and Kiki Iriafen.

The WNBA Draft serves as the league’s primary recruitment system, allowing teams to select emerging talents from college and international basketball, with the order largely influenced by previous season performances and a lottery structure designed to maintain competitive balance.

Obi and Williams will now turn their attention to the 2026 WNBA season, which begins on May 8, as they seek to establish themselves at the professional level and continue the legacy of Nigerian-linked players in the league.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 15, 2026