The Nigeria men’s and women’s basketball teams have named their provisional squads for the Tokyo Olympics.
Both D’Tigers and D’Tigress coaches have selected 15 players that would be trimmed to 12 before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics.
For the men, the 15-man list is made up of 8 NBA stars headlined by Detroit Piston Centre, Jahlil Okafor who is in line to make his international debut for Nigeria.
Miami Heat’s trio of Gabe Vincent, Chikezie ‘KZ’ Okpala and 2020 NBA draft pick, Precious Achiuwa have also been pencilled down for the last phase of preparation with Utah Jazz’s Miye Oni.
Minnesota Timberwolves Josh Okogie and Metu Chimezie of Sacramento Kings alongside Ike Iroegbu are selected with Jordan Nwora whose fairytale adventure continues with another chance to be at the Olympics.
Also, Spain based Obi Emegano returns with his inclusion, alongside Caleb Agada, Ekpe Udoh and Stanley Okoye who has been a constant feature in the team since 2015.
A member of the 2015 Afrobasket team, Mike Gbinije made the cut with Chima Moneke who has been impressive for the team since making his debut during the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers.
Brown revealed that the final 12 man list will be named days before their trip to Tokyo.
Nigeria is grouped alongside Australia, Germany and Italy following the conclusion of the Olympics Qualifying Tournament.
The women’s team
On his part, Head Coach, Otis Hughley has selected the three Ogwumike sisters in D’Tigress 15-woman provisional list.
Number one overall draft in 2012, 2016 WNBA Most Valuable Player and current Los Angeles Sparks power forward, Nneka Ogwumike has been pencilled down alongside Chinenye Ogwumike who had previously represented the United States of America at the u-18 and u-19 categories.
Erica completes the list of the Ogwumike sisters who may be making history as siblings playing for the same national team at the Olympic Games.
Team captain, Adaora Elonu who has also been named as the Assistant Captain of Team Nigeria to the Olympics is among the regular faces in the provisional list.
The trusted trio of Promise Amukamara (Charnay BB of France), Atonye Nyingifa (Porta XI Ensino, Spain) and Ezinne Kalu (Landerneau, France) are also in line to make their debut at the Olympics.
23-year-old Centre, Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah who plays in the Italian Serie A for Pallacanestro Vigarano will team up with Ifunanya Ibekwe and Louisville point guard, Elizabeth Balogun.
Amy Okonkwo’s dream of playing for Nigeria in Tokyo may eventually come through after her inclusion in the 15 man list alongside Oderah Chidom who narrowly missed the 2018 world cup in Spain.
Longest standing member of the Atlanta Dream franchise in the WNBA, Elizabeth Williams will also be on the plane to Tokyo alongside Victoria Macaulay and ageless Aisha Balarabe who has continued to turn back the hands of time as the only member of the squad who has ever being to the Olympics (2004).
The final 12 man list will be announced before the team head out to Japan from their camp in the USA where the team will face USA, Japan and France in group B.
Follow us on social media
