Eight NBA Stars Dominate D’Tigers’ 15- man List

*Ogwumike three sisters eye history with Nigeria at the Olympics

After weeks of camping, D’Tigers Head Coach, Mike Brown, has pruned the 49-man list to 15 ahead of the friendly series lined up for the team just before the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 15-man list is made up of eight 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 will be making a return to the team following their exploits at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China where the youngsters helped Nigeria secure an Olympics ticket alongside Ike Iroegbu.

Jordan Nwora’s fairytale adventure continues with another chance to be at the Olympics. Nwora whose team, Milwaukee Bucks is heading to the NBA finals is the current and youngest highest point scorer for Nigeria in a competitive game as well as making history alongside his father (Coach) being on the same team.

After missing out of the 2019 World Cup, 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.

In the roster for Nigeria’s senior women’s team also released yesterday, the Ogwumike sisters are on the threshold of history after the trio were listed in the 15-man provisional list submitted to the Nigeria Basketball Federation by Head Coach, Otis Hughley.

Number one overall draft in 2012, 2016 WNBA Most Valuable Player and current Los Angeles Sparks power forward, Nneka Ogwumike has been penciled 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 15-man provisional list.

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.