NBA Players from Egypt: Full List (2026)
2 NBA players have come from Egypt, by Wikipedia’s count. As of October 2026, none is on an NBA roster. The most recent was Abdel Nader (2017-2022).
NBA players from Egypt at a glance
| NBA players, all time | 2 (Wikipedia count) |
|---|---|
| On NBA rosters, October 2026 | None |
| First to play in the NBA | Alaa Abdelnaby (1990) |
| Longest NBA career | Alaa Abdelnaby (5 seasons) |
| Centers | 1: Alaa Abdelnaby |
| 7-foot prospects in our database | 1 (see them) |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
Every NBA player from Egypt
Sorted by NBA debut, earliest first. Status is as of October 2026, before the 2026-27 regular season, so it includes players on training camp deals.
| Player | Position | NBA seasons | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaa Abdelnaby | Forward/center | 1990-1995 | Former player | |
| Abdel Nader | Guard/forward | 2017-2022 | Former player |
Players from Egypt in the NBA in 2026-27
No player from Egypt is on an NBA roster as of October 2026. The next one may already be in our database: see the prospects below.
NBA centers from Egypt
1 of the 2 players in the table played center or forward/center: Alaa Abdelnaby (1990-1995). Our database also lists 1 young player from Egypt at 7 feet or taller.
7-Foot Prospects from Egypt
One active player from Egypt is listed at 7 feet or taller and born in 2001 or later in our 7-Foot Prospect Database, last checked on 9 October 2026:
- Aly Khalifa: 7’0″ (213 cm), born in 2001, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
See every player, with filters by country, in the 7-Foot Prospect Database.
Player profiles from our archive
This section was first published in 2018. Teams and career details in it are as of that time; the tables above show where things stand in October 2026.
The list of NBA players from Egypt is small, but has a promising player in Abdul Nader, who we discuss below. The Egyptian national basketball team has a storied history starting with the title of the EuroBasket 1949. At the FIBA Africa Championship, Egypt holds a record number of 17 medals (alongside Angola). However, Egypt hasn’t won much recently. Scroll down below to see the two NBA players from Egypt.
Egyptian NBA Players
Alaa Abdelnaby
Abdelnaby is a retired professional basketball player. Born in June 1968, he is an Egyptian American and started out playing for Duke University. He then played at a professional level in both the CBA and NBA. After retirement, he became a basketball analyst and broadcaster for several networks, including CBS and NBCS.
Abdelnaby is a natural-born citizen of Egypt and migrated to the States in 1971 when he was just two years old. He is a Muslim and was brought up in Bloomfield and Nutley in New Jersey. He was a member of Bloomfield High School’s basketball team in those days. He was soon hailed as a prolific high school athlete. He was, thus, awarded titles such as a Parade All-American and McDonald’s All-American.
During the 1990 draft, NBA selected Abdelnaby for the Portland Trail Blazers. He played for several teams such as the Sacramento Kings, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. After his NBA stint, he went on to play for the Papagou BC in Greece from 1995 to 1996. He also played for the Idaho Stampede and the Omaha Racers for the CBA. This was in 1999-2000 and 1996-1997 respectively. In the 1997-1998 seasons, he played for the Olympique Antibes in France.
Abdel Nader
Nader was born in September 1993 and is a pro basketball player of both Egyptian and American nationality. He is fluent in Arabic and calls Skokie his hometown, which is in Illinois. He studied at the Iowa State University and had a major in liberal studies.
At college level, he played for the Iowa State and Northern Illinois. Afterwards, he signed with the Boston Celtics as their 58th pick in 2016.
He then committed to a six-million, four-year deal with the Boston Celtics and started his NBA career in October 2017. His first NBA game was against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nader signing is a testament to Celtics GM Danny Ainge who is a wizard and finding talent these days. And fleecing teams in trades!
Frequently asked questions
How many NBA players are from Egypt?
Wikipedia counts 2.
Which players from Egypt are in the NBA in 2026-27?
None as of October 2026. The most recent was Abdel Nader (2017-2022).
Who was the first NBA player from Egypt?
Alaa Abdelnaby, who debuted in 1990.
Which centers from Egypt have played in the NBA?
Alaa Abdelnaby.
Are there 7-foot prospects from Egypt?
Yes. Our 7-Foot Prospect Database lists 1: Aly Khalifa.
More guides: NBA players by country. Scouting reports: NBA center prospects.
Sources: Wikipedia, List of NBA players born outside the United States (revision of 3 October 2026); RealGM NBA player list (9 October 2026); Low Key NBA 7-Foot Prospect Database. U.S.-born players with family ties to Egypt may be missing from the table. Last checked 9 October 2026.
