Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o invests in BAL team Nairobi City Thunder

Lupita Nyong'o’s announcement marks a significant milestone for Kenyan basketball, as the Nairobi City Thunder become the first team from Kenya to join the NBA‑backed Basketball Africa League. Her involvement brings both star power and potential financial stability to a franchise that will represent the capital in a league designed to grow the sport across the continent.

The move arrives as the NBA continues to highlight its global reach. In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder are posting a 64–18 record, sitting at the top of the Western Conference and holding the league’s #1 power ranking with a net rating of +11.1. General manager Sam Presti has expressed optimism about the Thunder’s young core and does not anticipate a downturn despite recent departures, underscoring the confidence NBA clubs have in building sustainable success.

With the BAL positioned as a key part of the NBA’s international strategy, the Nairobi City Thunder’s entry adds another layer to the league’s expanding footprint. Observers will watch how the new Kenyan franchise performs in its inaugural season and whether it can tap into the growing talent pool in East Africa, contributing to the broader narrative of a razor‑thin race for the top spot in the NBA’s 2026 rankings.