Wikipedia

Nigeria men's national basketball team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Nigeria women's national basketball team.

The Nigeria men's national basketball team (Igbo: ndị otu egwuregwu basketbọl nke Naịjirịa) represents Nigeria in international basketball, and it is governed by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Nigeria
FIBA ranking38 Decrease 1 (1 March 2024)[1]
Joined FIBA1964
FIBA zoneFIBA Africa
National federationNigeria Basketball Federation
CoachAlan Major
Nickname(s)D'Tigers
Olympic Games
Appearances3
MedalsNone
FIBA World Cup
Appearances3
MedalsNone
AfroBasket
Appearances19
MedalsGold Gold: (2015)
Silver Silver: (1997, 1999, 2003, 2017)
Bronze Bronze: (1995, 2005, 2011)
African Games
Appearances8
MedalsGold Gold: (2011)
Bronze Bronze: (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
First international
 Senegal 101–30 Nigeria 
(Dakar, Senegal; 25 December 1971)
Biggest win
 Liberia 35–109 Nigeria 
(Huambo, Angola; 17 August 2007)
Biggest defeat
 United States 156–73 Nigeria 
(London, United Kingdom; 2 August 2012)

In March 2021, the global governing body FIBA ranked Nigeria as Africa's top men's basketball nation.[2] After the 2016 Olympic Men's Basketball Tournament in Rio, Nigeria was ranked 16th in the FIBA World Rankings, making them the top climber in FIBA rankings from 2015.[3]

Nigeria is the only African nation to beat the United States. Nigeria is also the first African team to qualify for the Summer Olympics through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. This was accomplished at the 2012 Event when Nigeria beat the world elite teams of Lithuania and Greece. In 2015, Nigeria won its first crown as basketball champion of Africa.

History edit

The history of basketball in Nigeria goes as far back as the late 1950s when Walid Zabadne served as the first basketball coach to train Nigerians. At the time, Nigeria's only basketball court was situated in the Syrian Club in Lagos. Walid Zabadne continued teaching young Nigerians to become basketballers and when Nigeria's basketball federation was organized, he took them to several basketball competitions across Africa. In view of his role as the pioneer of basketball in Nigeria, Walid Zabadne has been deemed "father of Nigerian basketball’’. Also worthy of note is that Zabadne was later made the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation.

Nigeria's national basketball team joined FIBA in 1964. Since the mid-1990s, the team has enjoyed unprecedented success, due to an increasing amount of talents from Nigeria as well as an orchestrated recruitment of American college and professional players of Nigerian descent. The D'Tigers (as the team is nicknamed) qualified for the 2006 FIBA World Championship, marking only the second time in the country's history that they qualified to the FIBA World Cup. Team Nigeria usually plays its home games at the 3,000-capacity Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos.[4][5]

2006 FIBA World Championship edit

Nigeria took part in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. They were drawn in Group A with Argentina, France, Lebanon, Serbia and Montenegro, and Venezuela. They surprisingly finished third in Group A, then were narrowly defeated by Germany in the Round of 16. Overall they finished 14th, as they achieved the same record as the defending world champion Serbia and Montenegro.

2012 Summer Olympics edit

Nigeria competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics. They finished the group play with a 1–4 record, with their lone victory coming against Tunisia in their Olympics debut.[6] The team's roster, assembled by coach Ayodele Bakare, primarily comprised former college basketball players.[7]

2016 Summer Olympics edit

Nigeria qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics tournament as champions of AfroBasket 2015. They finished at the bottom of Group B, winning one game against Croatia and losing four games.[citation needed] The team entered the 2016 games with several injured players and little financial support from the Nigerian government.[8]

2020 Summer Olympics edit

As the top African team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Nigeria qualified for their third consecutive Olympics berth for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[9] The team, which included seven NBA players and was led by Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown, was called up for training in the United States in June 2021. D'Tigers defeated the United States 90–87 during an exhibition game in Las Vegas on 10 July. The victory, described as an "upset", was the first for an African team against the United States.[10][11]

Team honours and achievements edit

Intercontinental

Continental

Competitive record edit

Olympic Games edit

Olympics record Qualification record
Year Round Position GP W L GP W L
  1964 Did not qualify AfroBasket served as qualification
  1968
  1972
  1976
  1980
  1984
  1988
  1992
  1996
  2000
  2004
  2008
  2012 Preliminary round 10th 5 1 4
  2016 Preliminary round 11th 5 1 4
  2020 Preliminary round 10th 3 0 3
  2024 Did not qualify 2 0 2
13 2 11 2 0 2

FIBA World Cup edit

FIBA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position GP W L GP W L
  1967 Did not qualify AfroBasket served as qualification
  1970
  1974
  1978
  1982
  1986
  1990
  1994
  1998 Preliminary round 13th 5 2 3
  2002 Did not qualify
  2006 Round of 16 14th 6 2 4
  2010 Did not qualify
  2014
  2019 Preliminary round 17th 5 3 2 12 10 2
    2023 Did not qualify 10 5 5
  2027 To be determined To be determined
3/15 16 7 9 22 15 7

AfroBasket edit

Year Round Position GP W L
  1965 Did not enter
  1968
  1970
  1972 Classification stage 12th 6 0 6
  1974 Did not enter
  1975
  1978 Classification stage 6th 5 2 3
  1980 Preliminary round 11th 5 1 4
  1981 Did not enter
  1983
  1985 Classification stage 7th 6 3 3
  1987 Classification stage 8th 4 1 3
  1989 Did not enter
  1992 Classification stage 5th 6 4 2
  1993 Did not enter
  1995 Third place   6 4 2
  1997 Runners-up   6 5 1
  1999 Runners-up   7 5 2
  2001 Classification stage 5th 6 5 1
  2003 Runners-up   7 5 2
  2005 Third place   8 6 2
  2007 Quarterfinals 5th 6 5 1
  2009 Quarterfinals 5th 9 7 2
  2011 Third place   7 6 1
  2013 Quarterfinals 7th 7 5 2
  2015 Champions   7 6 1
    2017 Runners-up   6 4 2
  2021 Round of 16 12th 4 2 2
  2025 To be determined
Total 19/28 118 76 42

FIBA AfroCan edit

Year Round Position GP W L
  2019 11th place 11th 3 0 3
  2023 8th place 8th 6 3 3
Total 2/2 9 3 6

African Games edit

See also: Basketball at the African Games
  • 1973 – ?
  • 1987 – ?
  • 1995 –  
  • 1999 –  
  • 2003 –  
  • 2007 –  
  • 2011 –  
  • 2015 –  

FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup edit

See also: FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup
  • 2013 –  
  • 2016 –  

Commonwealth Games edit

See also: Basketball at the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games record
Year Round Position Pld W L
  2006 Semi-Final 4th 5 2 3
  2018 Quarter-Final 6th 4 0 4
Total 2/2 4th 9 2 7

Team edit

Current roster edit

Roster for the Afrobasket 2021.[12]

Nigeria men's national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
PG 0 Jordan Ogundiran 24 – (1996-11-30)30 November 1996 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Kamza  
G 3 Ben Emelogu 26 – (1994-11-24)24 November 1994 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Rouen  
G 4 Daniel Utomi 24 – (1997-03-07)7 March 1997 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Vichy-Clermont  
F 5 Emmanuel Omogbo 26 – (1995-05-28)28 May 1995 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) APOEL  
PG 11 Ikenna Ndugba 23 – (1998-06-11)11 June 1998 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Elon Phoenix  
G 12 Ibe Agu 24 – (1997-05-02)2 May 1997 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) ABC Fighters  
PG 13 Jeremiah Mordi 28 – (1993-01-07)7 January 1993 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Caen  
F 14 Tarekeyi Edogi 27 – (1994-02-21)21 February 1994 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Paulus Pärnu  
C 15 Victor Koko 28 – (1992-12-14)14 December 1992 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Rivers Hoopers  
C 18 Celestine Nwafor 27 – (1994-03-16)16 March 1994 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Kano Pillars BC  
PG 22 Ikechukwu Benjamin 24 – (1997-06-14)14 June 1997 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Rivers Hoopers  
PF 31 Stephen Domingo 26 – (1995-05-09)9 May 1995 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Free agent
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 24 August 2021

Depth chart edit

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
C Precious Achiuwa Jahlil Okafor Charles Bassey Udoka Azubuike
PF Chimezie Metu Chima Moneke KZ Okpala Suleiman Braimoh
SF Jordan Nwora Semi Ojeleye Miye Oni Stan Okoye
SG Gabe Vincent Josh Okogie Obi Emegano Ike Nwamu
PG Monte Morris Spencer Dinwiddie Victor Oladipo

Notable players edit

Several players of the Nigeria national team have had success playing for professional teams, in the NBA, or in Europe, including:

Hakeem Olajuwon never played for Nigeria at the international senior level,[13] and would eventually play for the United States, after becoming a US citizen in 1993.

Past rosters edit

2009 African Championship: finished 5th among 16 teams

Akin Akingbala, Aloysius Anagonye, Chamberlain Oguchi, Deji Akindele, Michael Efevberha, Michael Umeh, Josh Akognon, Ebi Ere, Ejike Ugboaja, Gabe Muoneke, Jayson Obazuaye, Benson Egemonye (Coach: John Lucas II)

2011 African Championship: finished 3rd among 16 teams

Solomon Tat, Ime Udoka, Abubakar Usman, Chinedu Onyeuku, Ike Ofoegbu, Michael Umeh, Stanley Gumut, Derrick Obasohan, Ejike Ugboaja, Ezenwa Ukeagu, Jayson Obazuaye, Olumide Oyedeji (Coach: Ayo Bakare)

2012 Summer Olympics: finished 10th among 12 teams

Tony Skinn, Ekene Ibekwe, Ike Diogu, Al-Farouq Aminu, Ade Dagunduro, Chamberlain Oguchi, Koko Archibong, Richard Oruche, Ejike Ugboaja, Derrick Obasohan, Alade Aminu, Olumide Oyedeji (Coach: Ayo Bakare)

2020 Olympic roster: A 15-player roster was announced on 6 July 2021.[14] The final squad was released on 20 July 2021.[15]

2020 Olympic roster
Nigeria national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
F 0 KZ Okpala 22 – (1999-04-28)28 April 1999 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Miami Heat  
G 3 Caleb Agada 26 – (1994-08-31)31 August 1994 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Hapoel Be'er Sheva  
C 8 Ekpe Udoh 34 – (1987-05-20)20 May 1987 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Virtus Bologna  
PF 10 Chimezie Metu 24 – (1997-03-22)22 March 1997 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) Sacramento Kings  
SG 11 Obi Emegano 28 – (1993-04-29)29 April 1993 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Fuenlabrada  
G 13 Miye Oni 23 – (1997-08-04)4 August 1997 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Utah Jazz  
C 15 Jahlil Okafor 25 – (1995-12-15)15 December 1995 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Atlanta Hawks  
G 20 Josh Okogie 22 – (1998-09-01)1 September 1998 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Minnesota Timberwolves  
G 22 Gabe Vincent 25 – (1996-06-14)14 June 1996 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Miami Heat  
F 33 Jordan Nwora 22 – (1998-09-09)9 September 1998 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Milwaukee Bucks  
G 34 Ike Nwamu 28 – (1993-06-03)3 June 1993 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Samara  
PF 55 Precious Achiuwa 21 – (1999-09-19)19 September 1999 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Miami Heat  
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 25 July 2021

Head coaches edit

Kit edit

Manufacturer edit

2019–present: Peak

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Omnisports – Basketball : Le Nigéria toujours " Number One " en Afrique". AfricaFootUnited.com (in French). 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. ^ "FIBA rankings". FIBA. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. ^ "The need for proper Basketball arena(s) in Nigeria". temidayojnr.medium.com/. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  5. ^ Ayodele (1 March 2017). "Lagos ready to take over Surulere National Stadium – Ambode". Punch. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ Young, Sonny (29 July 2012). "Nigeria, Tunisia Tip Off London Olympic Men's Basketball". Voice of America. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  7. ^ Bishop, Greg (6 August 2012). "Bruised and Beaten, but Nigerians Are Unbowed". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. ^ Wolff, Alexander (8 August 2016). "Nigeria's men's basketball team left scrambling after financial, player issues". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Nigeria open Tokyo 2020 camp in California with 49-man list". FIBA. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  10. ^ Abrams, Jonathan (10 July 2021). "Nigeria Wins Historic Upset Over Team U.S.A. in Olympic Exhibition". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  11. ^ Windhorst, Brian (10 July 2021). "Team USA stunned by Nigeria in rare exhibition basketball loss ahead of Tokyo Olympics". ESPN. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Team Roster Nigeria". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Forget it, Nigeria. Victor Oladipo is gone!". Basketball. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Tokyo Olympics: D'Tigers' coach names provisional squad, omits Diogu". premiumtimesng.com. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Nigeria unveil Tokyo 2020 roster with eight NBA stars". fiba.basketball. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Team Roster Nigeria" (PDF). olympics.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  17. ^ "NBBF hires Will Voigt to lead D'Tigers to Afrobasket and All African Games; may lead team to Rio 2016 Olympic Games". Basketball. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  18. ^ Ayodele (9 August 2017). "Afrobasket: NBBF appoints Alex Nwora as D'Tigers coach". Punch. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  19. ^ Goldberg, Wes (4 February 2020). "Warriors assistant Mike Brown will coach Nigeria in 2020 Olympics: report". The Mercury News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  20. ^ Danmallam, Shamsudeen (28 June 2022). "Basketball: Alan Major to coach male national team". 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE. Retrieved 28 June 2022.

External links edit

Videos edit

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