NBA All-Star Weekend was always a holiday in my house. It wasn’t just basketball—it was storytelling, a spectacle of greatness unfolding in real-time. I’d rush to finish my homework so I could stay up late, microwave popcorn in hand, watching the biggest names in the sport put on a show.
It always fell just before my mother’s birthday, adding another layer of celebration. Back then, Africa’s connection to the NBA felt distant. Jerseys of Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron were rare collectibles in Nigeria.
Now, in 2025, after returning from Asaba, Lagos, and Abuja, I see the shift. The streets are filled with NBA jerseys—not just of past legends, but of today’s African superstars. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name is right there alongside the greatest to ever play.
The NBA has always been big in Africa, but now? Africa is shaping the NBA. Africa is no longer waiting for an invitation—it’s pulling up a seat at the global table. Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nigeria’s Superstar Leads All Vote-Getters For the first time in two decades, LeBron James wasn’t on the All-Star court.
And who led the league in votes? Giannis Antetokounmpo—born to Nigerian parents—pulled in over 4.4 million votes, the highest in the NBA. It felt like a generational disruption.
Decades ago, Hakeem Olajuwon paved the way as the first African-born superstar. Since then, only three Nigerians—Olajuwon, Victor Oladipo, and Bam Adebayo—had earned All-Star status. Now, Giannis isn’t just an All-Star.