Nigeria
FIBA ranking37 Decrease 18 (15 September 2023)[1]
Joined FIBA1964
FIBA zoneFIBA Africa
National federationNigeria Basketball Federation
CoachAlan Major
Nickname(s)D'Tigers
Olympic Games
Appearances3
FIBA World Cup
Appearances3
AfroBasket
Appearances19
Medals Gold: (2015)
Silver: (1997, 1999, 2003, 2017)
Bronze: (1995, 2005, 2011)
All Africa Games
Appearances8
MedalsGold Gold: (2011)
Bronze Bronze: (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)

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

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

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

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

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

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. The team entered the 2016 games with several injured players and little financial support from the Nigerian government.[8]

2020 Summer Olympics

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

Intercontinental

Continental

Performance table

Olympic Games

Olympics record Qualification record
Year Round Position GP W L GP W L
Japan 1964 did not qualify AfroBasket served as qualification
Mexico 1968
West Germany 1972
Canada 1976
Soviet Union 1980
United States 1984
South Korea 1988
Spain 1992
United States 1996
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012 Preliminary round 10th 5 1 4
Brazil 2016 Preliminary round 11th 5 1 4
Japan 2020 Preliminary round 10th 3 0 3
France 2024 did not qualify 2 0 2
13 2 11 2 0 2

FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position GP W L GP W L
Uruguay 1967 did not qualify AfroBasket served as qualification
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1970
Puerto Rico 1974
Philippines 1978
Colombia 1982
Spain 1986
Argentina 1990
Canada 1994
Greece 1998 Preliminary round 13th 5 2 3
United States 2002 did not qualify
Japan 2006 Round of 16 14th 6 2 4
Turkey 2010 did not qualify
Spain 2014
China 2019 Preliminary round 17th 5 3 2 12 10 2
PhilippinesJapanIndonesia 2023 did not qualify 10 5 5
Qatar 2027 To be determined To be determined
16 7 9 22 15 7

FIBA Africa Championship

Year Round Position GP W L
Tunisia 1965 did not qualify
Morocco 1968
Egypt 1970
Senegal 1972 Classification stage 12th 6 0 6
Central African Republic 1974 did not qualify
Egypt 1975
Senegal 1978 Classification stage 6th 5 2 3
Morocco 1980 Preliminary round 11th 5 1 4
Somalia 1981 did not qualify
Egypt 1983
Ivory Coast 1985 Classification stage 7th 6 3 3
Tunisia 1987 Classification stage 8th 4 1 3
Angola 1989 did not qualify
Egypt 1992 Classification stage 5th 6 4 2
Kenya 1993 did not qualify
Algeria 1995 Third place 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 4 2
Senegal 1997 Runners-up 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 5 1
Angola 1999 Runners-up 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 5 2
Morocco 2001 Classification stage 5th 6 5 1
Egypt 2003 Runners-up 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 5 2
Algeria 2005 Third place 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 8 6 2
Angola 2007 Quarterfinals 5th 6 5 1
Libya 2009 Quarterfinals 5th 9 7 2
Madagascar 2011 Third place 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 6 1
Ivory Coast 2013 Quarterfinals 7th 7 5 2
Tunisia 2015 Champions 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 6 1
Tunisia Senegal 2017 Runners-up 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 4 2
Rwanda 2021 Round of 16 12th 4 2 2
Total

FIBA Africa Championship

Year Round Position GP W L
Mali 2019 11th place 11th 3 0 3
Angola 2023 8th place 8th 6 3 3
Total

African Games

  • 1973 – ?
  • 1987 – ?
  • 1995 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
  • 1999 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
  • 2003 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
  • 2007 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
  • 2011 – 1st place, gold medalist(s)
  • 2015 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)

FIBA Stanković Continental Champions' Cup

  • 2013 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
  • 2016 – 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games record
Year Round Position Pld W L
Australia 2006 Semi-Final 4th 5 2 3
Australia 2018 Quarter-Final 6th 4 0 4
Total2/24th927

Team

Current roster

Roster for the Afrobasket 2021.[12]

Nigeria men's national basketball team roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
PG 0 Jordan Ogundiran 24 – (1996-11-30)30 November 1996 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Kamza Albania
G 3 Ben Emelogu 26 – (1994-11-24)24 November 1994 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Rouen France
G 4 Daniel Utomi 24 – (1997-03-07)7 March 1997 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Vichy-Clermont France
F 5 Emmanuel Omogbo 26 – (1995-05-28)28 May 1995 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) APOEL Cyprus
PG 11 Ikenna Ndugba 23 – (1998-06-11)11 June 1998 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Elon Phoenix United States
G 12 Ibe Agu 24 – (1997-05-02)2 May 1997 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) ABC Fighters Ivory Coast
PG 13 Jeremiah Mordi 28 – (1993-01-07)7 January 1993 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Caen France
F 14 Tarekeyi Edogi 27 – (1994-02-21)21 February 1994 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Paulus Pärnu Estonia
C 15 Victor Koko 28 – (1992-12-14)14 December 1992 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Rivers Hoopers Nigeria
C 18 Celestine Nwafor 27 – (1994-03-16)16 March 1994 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Kano Pillars BC Nigeria
PG 22 Ikechukwu Benjamin 24 – (1997-06-14)14 June 1997 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Rivers Hoopers Nigeria
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

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

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

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

Head coaches

Kit

Manufacturer

2019–present: Peak

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  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.

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