Twenty-year-old Charles Bassey has declared that he will enter the NBA’s upcoming draft, which is scheduled for July 29.
The 6’11” centre plays for Western Kentucky and is ranked No. 25 on ESPN’s list of 100 potential draftees.
After suffering from injury and experiencing setbacks prior to entering the draft, Bassey told ESPN that he feels he is finally ready. “My maturity is different now. I understand what it takes. I’m 20 years old now. I knew what I had to do. After my injury during the pandemic, I was working five-six days a week with my trainer and the strength coach in the school facilities, eight to 10 hours per day. Just to make sure I came back healthy.”
The Nigerian Native is also a Giants of Africa alumni and was named Most Valuable Player of the Masai Ujiri-facilitated camp when he was 14.
Players of Nigerian descent made history in the most recent NBA draft, when nine players overall were selected, with three – Precious Achiuwa (Miami Heat) , Udoka Azubuike (Utah Jazz) and Aaron Nesmith (Boston Celtics)- being selected in the first round for the first time.
With some fans already coining the Heat the home of the “Nigerian Six” (Achiuwa, Andre Igoudala, Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, KZ Okpala and now Victor Oladipo), the front office in South Beach may want to organise some pre-draft workouts with the new prospect Bassey.
Watch Charles’ season highlights:
