Biyombo driven by Afrobeats, African NBA legends
Suns center Bismack Biyombo is one of 14 African natives, including three from his native Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have been signed to a roster during the 2021-22 season.
He’s one of the two African players who were added to the Suns’ roster besides their former Egyptian center Abdel Nader this season.
Biyombo averaged 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks during the regular season.
He was signed to a two-way contract as a COVID-19 replacement by Phoenix on New Year’s Day before he was extended for the rest of the season 10 days later.
Biyombo is grateful to the Africanbred pioneers who first inspired him at age 15 to enter the NBA.
“I always pay a lot of respect to the guys who came before us. (Dikembe) Mutumbo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Manute Bol, all those guys who made us believe that it was possible,” Biyombo said to the media on March 12.
“So now that you’re looking at your situation, like I’m playing basketball.
I’m making something out of this. Now you start diving into it a little more, the desire of getting better, and as you grow then I have a vision and dreams I can make it to the league.”
Biyombo played soccer during his adolescence, but his growth spurt as a teenager made him trade in his cleats for basketball shoes.
“I think I was just getting too tall for soccer,” Biyombo said to The Republic on April 10 after their regular-season finale loss to the Kings. “Then it’s like, ‘Man, these guys are too fast and I need to change something,’” he said, laughing.
Biyombo said he’s worked out with Serge Ibaka, and the NBA’s current other African players and were taught postmoves by Olajuwon at Basketball Without Borders Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa years ago.
In addition, Biyombo gets inspired to play games thinking about his father and listening to jazzy tribal vibes of Afrobeat music.
“There’s a lot of African music that I listen to just to enjoy the game,” Biyombo said.
“Before the games, it’s almost like preparing to go and have fun.”