JUNE 1 THE SEVEN BEST NBA PLAYERS FROM AFRICA

JUNE 1  THE SEVEN BEST NBA PLAYERS FROM AFRICA

There was a major surprise in Game One of the NBA Finals yesterday. The high scorer wasn't one of the five All-Stars on the floor. Not Steph, Klay, Dray or Kawhi "The Glove" Leonard. Nope, the man with 32 points to lead all scorers was.. Pascal Siakam, the 'Kid from Cameroon.' Just like Caribbean players in Major League Baseball, African-born athletes are making a huge impact on the sport. Let's check out the TOP SEVEN all time..

#7 PASCAL SIAKAM. When you're six-foot nine (206cm) you'll get noticed. That's what happened when 16-year-old Pascal started playing basketball in Douala, the capital of Cameroon. He, along with his similarly tall brothers, was recruited by Luc Mbah a Moute, a current NBA player also from Cameroon. After becoming WAC player of the year at New Mexico State, he was drafted by Toronto.

#6 SERGE IBAKA. Toronto, the Eastern Conference champions, have two African-born players on their roster. Coming off the bench to replace Siakam is Serge Ibaka. He's from the neighboring nation of the Congo. Unlike Pascal, Serge began playing at an early age. His father played on the Congolese National Team.

#5. LUOL DENG. Born into the Dinka group in Sudan, the Deng Family moved to Egypt as a child to escape persecution. He starting playing hoops in Cairo, then London, then Duke! Drafted #7, his NBA career includes five teams and two All-Star appearances. Like the others on this list, Deng gives generously to charities. The Lost Boys of Sudan helps young male refugees like himself.

#4. JOEL EMBIID. Also from Cameroon is  the fastest-rising star in the NBA today. Joel dazzles fans with electrifying dunks, vicious blocks PLUS a feathery smooth 3 points. Five years ago, the 76ers had the worst record in the league. This year, they made it to the semi-finals. Look to see much more of Joel Embiid on the highlight reel. You'll also see him during the commercial breaks too!

#3. MANUTE BOL. Back in 1982, Don Freeley, a college coach, agreed to help the Sudanese National Team. When he arrived In Khartoum, he was stunned to meet the backup center. Manute Bol was 7 foot 7 (231cm) tall, and could dunk the basketball without jumping. During his ten-year pro career, he used his tremendous wingspan to block 2,086 shots. Although Manute passed away, watch out for his son. Bol Bol plays for Oregon.

#2. DIKEMBE MUTOMBO. Born into the slums of Kinshasa in the DR Congo, Dikembe was noticed by scouts from Georgetown. After pairing with Alonzo Mourning to form 'Rejection Row,' Mutombo was the #4 pick in the 1991 draft. Mount Mutumbo stood proudly for 18 seasons. Anyone who tried to climb above him with a weak shot would be rejected. Then, Dikembe would wag his enormous index finger and say: "No, no, no."

#1 HAKEEM OLAJUWON. Of course the DREAM is #1. Born and raised in Lagos, Hakeem learned about the value of working hard early on. In college, he and Clyde Drexler became known as 'Phi Slamma Jamma.' After being drafted #1 (above Michael Jordan at #3), he teamed with fellow seven-footer Ralph Sampson to become the 'Twin Towers.' They won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets. More importantly, he was a gentleman both on and off the court. Class act!