Top 10 Highest-Paid African Basketballers in 2025

In Summary

• African basketballers have risen from overlooked prospects to global superstars, earning multimillion-dollar NBA contracts and endorsement deals in 2025.
• Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the list as the highest-paid African players, earning over $50 million each in salary and sponsorships.
• Rising talents like Khaman Maluach and Alex Sarr represent Africa’s next generation, signalling the continent’s growing influence in global basketball.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, October 10th—  African basketball players have gone from being unknown athletes to international superstars with multimillion-dollar contracts during the last 20 years. The continent is delighted to have a group of celebrities in 2025 that are not only dominant on the court but also at the top of the financial charts.

African basketball players like Cameroon’s Joel Embiid and Nigeria’s Giannis Antetokounmpo have defied all odds and risen to become some of the highest-paid players in the NBA. 

In this article, we take you through in-depth the top 10 highest-paid African basketballers in 2025, along with their endorsement deals, salaries for the 2025-26 season, and incredible life stories that made them multimillionaires. This list also involves basketball players of African descent.

10. Bismack Biyombo ($3.6M) – San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs' Bismack Biyombo rounds out the list with an income of $3.6 million. He signed a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, including an average annual salary of $3,634,153. The 33-year-old Congolese centre has played for seven different teams and is renowned for his leadership and 7.5 RPG career. He was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) after being chosen by the Sacramento Kings with the seventh overall choice in the 2011 NBA draft. Biyombo has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic. 

His charitable contributions, such as giving a season's worth of pay to construct a hospital in Congo, demonstrate his influence off the court. As of the time of writing, Biyombo has no known or public endorsement deal.

9. Khaman Maluach ($6M) – Phoenix Suns

Khaman Maluach, who was just selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, makes $6 million on a four-year rookie contract for $27.4 million. Following in Bol Bol's footsteps, the 7'2" South Sudanese superstar wowed Duke (12.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG). He was a member of the Duke Blue Devils' collegiate basketball team. Additionally, he joined the South Sudan national team at the age of sixteen and is currently a member.

Maluach combines skill and mobility to symbolise Africa's next generation. There are no public details about specific endorsement deals for Maluach as of the time of writing, although he has gained significant attention and endorsements.

8. Alex Sarr ($11.8M) –  Washington Wizards

Alex Sarr was born in Bordeaux, France, to Senegalese parents. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the Washington Wizards in July 2024, earning $11,808,240 for the 2025–2026 season. The 7'0" forward-centre, who was selected second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, improved on a successful rookie season (11.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 2024–25) by earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team and scoring a career-high 34 points in a game against Denver in March 2025. 

Sarr, who is 20 years old, is the cornerstone of the Wizards' comeback and a shining example of African talent in the NBA thanks to his switchable defence, 35% three-point shooting, and rim protection, which have drawn comparisons to Rudy Gobert. Information on his endorsement deals is currently unavailable.

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7. Onyeka Okongwu ($15M) – Atlanta Hawks

In 2025–2026, Onyeka Okongwu will earn $15,000,000 as part of a four-year rookie extension contract worth $61.98 million with the Atlanta Hawks. Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian parents, Okongwu, a shot-blocker and prolific rebounder (8.4 RPG), enhances his teammate, Trae Young's offensive game.

He is now Atlanta's defensive anchor thanks to his deal, which recognises his steady progress. He has also expressed interest in representing Nigeria in international basketball tournaments and is vocal about his Nigerian heritage, and is considered a prominent player of Nigerian descent in the NBA. He was also a part of the large 2020 NBA draft class that included many players with Nigerian heritage.

He was voted MaxPreps co-National Freshman of the Year in his freshman year at Chino Hills High School, helping his team win the state championship and make it to the nationals. Okongwu won back-to-back California Mr Basketball awards in his junior and senior seasons, leading Chino Hills to two more state crowns. Okongwu played for USC during his only collegiate season and was selected to the first team All-Pac-12. Information on his 2025 endorsement deals is not publicly available, as such deals are typically private.

6. Jonathan Kuminga ($22.5M) – Golden State Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga, a native of Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, agreed to a two-year contract costing $22.5 million in 2025–2026 with the Golden State Warriors, worth $48.5 million. 

The best small forward in the 2021 class and a unanimous five-star prospect, he decided to join the NBA G League Ignite by reclassifying to the 2020 class and forgoing his collegiate eligibility. Kuminga completed his high school education at Hillside, New Jersey's The Patrick School.

Kuminga, who was selected seventh overall in 2021, has the potential to be a superstar based on his explosive dunks and growth (16.1 PPG in 2024–25).  He won an NBA title with them in his debut season. The 23-year-old may become the Warriors' new franchise face as they move on from the Curry era. There is currently no public information about his endorsement deals.

5. Bam Adebayo ($37.1M) – Miami Heat

Bam Adebayo, who has Nigerian ancestry from his father, earns $37.1 million through the Miami Heat. Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, stands out among big men due to his ability to create plays (8.9 APG career). His contribution to Miami's grit culture is highlighted by his recent three-year, $166 million agreement. Adebayo, who is 28, is the Heat's mainstay for a run to the Finals.

Prior to being chosen by the Heat with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, he played collegiate basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times and an NBA All-Star three times and also helped the Heat make it to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. He also took home a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic teams in 2020 and 2024.

A strategy to capitalise on his rising star power with brands is evident in his endorsement deals, which include a multi-year contract with Nike, a partnership with Jordan Brand, and the recent launch of BodyHealth supplements.

4. OG Anunoby ($39.6M) – New York Knicks

On a five-year, $212.5 million contract, OG Anunoby makes $39.6 million with the New York Knicks. Anunoby, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, contributed to Toronto's victory in 2019 with his outstanding wing defence (1.4 SPG). 

The 28-year-old was a member of the Indiana Hoosiers' collegiate basketball team. He led the league in steals and was selected to his first NBA All-Defensive Team in 2023 after winning an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

He was named All-Defensive after his 2024 trade to the Knicks ignited a postseason run. The Knicks' perimeter lockdown and 15.3 PPG from Anunoby make his salary justified as they build around Jalen Brunson. OG Anunoby signed a sneaker endorsement deal with Skechers about two months ago. 

3. Pascal Siakam ($45.6M) – Indiana Pacers

With $45.6 million from a four-year, $189.5 million contract agreement with the Indiana Pacers, Pascal Siakam takes third position. Like Embiid, Siakam was born in Douala, Cameroon, and went from being a late bloomer to winning the NBA championship with Toronto in 2019. His two-way game (21.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG) is highlighted by his 2024–25 All-Star selection and postseason exploits. Siakam's contract, which combines defence, rebounding, and scoring, is a reflection of his worth as a postseason player.

The 31-year-old was selected to the All-NBA team twice and was an NBA All-Star three times. In 2019, he won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors. Playing collegiate basketball with the New Mexico State Aggies, Siakam earned the nickname "Spicy P" and was voted the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2016. In the first round of the 2016 NBA draft, Toronto picked him with the 27th overall choice. No current information is available on the player’s endorsement deals.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($54.1M) – Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks' "Greek Freak," Giannis Antetokounmpo, comes in second with $54.1 million. Despite being born in Greece, he is a proud African ambassador because of his Nigerian parents. Giannis, a two-time MVP and 2021 Finals MVP, guided the Bucks to their first championship in half a century. 

Through 2028, his most recent supermax agreement will average $48.7 million yearly. His 2025 earnings of $94.4 million, which include $40 million from endorsements with a lifetime Nike deal and other significant partnerships, make him the highest-paid athlete of African heritage in the world. Giannis's legacy is solidified by his charitable work in Greece and Nigeria.

1. Joel Embiid ($55.2M) – Philadelphia 76ers

The highest-paid African NBA player in 2025 is Joel Embiid, who makes an incredible $55.2 million with the Philadelphia 76ers. From a soccer prospect to NBA MVP, Embiid's path is legendary. He played basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks for a year before the 76ers selected him third overall in the 2014 NBA draft. 

The 7-foot (2.13-meter) Embiid has won two NBA scoring titles, been named to the All-NBA Team five times, been on the All-Defensive Team three times, and been an NBA All-Star seven times. In 2023, he went on to win the NBA MVP award. On the U.S. Olympic squad in 2024, Embiid also took home a gold medal.

The 31-year-old was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He received a five-year, $196 million extension in 2023 as a result of his defensive brilliance and 2023 MVP season (33.1 PPG), despite injury setbacks. 

According to Forbes, Embiid makes close to $60 million a year off the court thanks to his endorsement deals with Nike, Skechers, and Under Armour. Embiid continues to be the league's most dominant big man as Philadelphia looks to win a championship.

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