From Courtside to Coast-to-Coast: Tracing the Liberian Legacy in the NBA
Thomas Sorber, born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Liberian parents who fled the civil war in the 1990s, spent his freshman year at Georgetown and immediately made an impact .
Over 24 games (31.3 minutes per game), he averaged: 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals. He shot 53.2% from the field, 16.2% from three, and 72.4% from the free-throw line . His dominant play earned him Third‑Team All‑Big East and Big East All‑Freshman honors .
On June 25, 2025, Thomas Sorber made history when he was selected in the first round, 15th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Draft. His selection marks a significant milestone, making him just the third player of Liberian descent ever drafted into the NBA.
Before Sorber, there was Eric Paschall, who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2019 with the 49th overall pick. Paschall played two seasons with the Warriors and one with the Utah Jazz before continuing his professional career overseas.
Another notable figure is David Duke Jr., whose parents also fled Liberia’s civil war. Duke is currently on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs and their G-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. In the NBA, he averages 4.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in approximately 12.7 minutes per game. Beyond the court, Duke has left a lasting legacy through his humanitarian efforts — including building a dining hall for underprivileged children in Paynesville, Liberia, through his foundation.
Now, with both Thomas Sorber and David Duke Jr. active in the NBA, Liberia is proudly represented on basketball’s biggest stage, inspiring a new generation of talent across the diaspora and back home.
