Nigeria basketball - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

Tunisia reclaim African Basketball crown

BOITUMELO RANTAO TUNISIA defeated Cote D'Ivoire 78-75 in the African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) final in Kigali, Rwanda to be crowned kings of African basketball. The Carthage Eagles (Tunisia’s Senior Men’s team) defended their 2019 AfroBasket crown with glory - finishing the 2021 edition undefeated in six games. The Ivorians equalled their best AfroBasket finish at the 30th edition, since earning silver at the 2009 AfroBasket tournament in Tripoli, Libya. Tunisia's Makram Ben Romdhane was named the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket MVP. In a starring role with the champions, Ramdhoane scored 8 points in the final with a solid 10 rebounds. Cote…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Basketball star denied Olympic bid

SPORT

Former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player Nneka Ogwumike was denied an opportunity to represent Nigeria at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ogwumike, who has been involved with United States of America (USA) basketball since high school, has been a longtime member within the US Senior basketball system. Having won gold with the American team previously, at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2014 and again in 2018, it was a shock that Ogwumike was left off the US team list. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Ogwumike has been missing for the roster list prior…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria out-hoops Argentina

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO NIGERIA continued their strong run defeating Argentina 94-71 in an exhibition tournament game in Las Vegas, United States of America (USA). Argentina, the number four ranked team according to International Basketball Federation (FIBA), came into the game as favourites, but ended up on the wrong end of a 20 point blowout. After an upset over the number one ranked USA team, D’Tigres (Nigeria’s National Team) has continued to show strength ahead of the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Two big wins for the Nigerian team come on the backs of resilient play, active hands, quick feet and defensive effort…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria Basketball stun USA in historic win

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE Nigerian senior national team continued their Tokyo 2020 Olympic preparation by defeating a star-studded United States of America team 90-87 in an exhibition game in Las Vegas. Known as D’Tigres, Nigeria’s starting five, consisting of Josh Okogie, Gabe Nnamdi Vincent; KZ Okpala; Ike Nwamu and Precious Achiuwa, came out guns-blazing, matching the USA team shot for shot. “We just wanted to compete,” said Nigeria’s Gabe Vincent, who plays for the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Miami Heat. “We know what USA Basketball means around the world and what they’ve stood for, for so long.” Vincent stole…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria zero in on Olympic goal

SPORT

Nigeria have announced one of their strongest national rosters ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Led by head coach Mike Brown, who had the tough task of trimming the 49-man squad to just 15, the talented squad looks forward as the sole African representatives. Twelve countries will compete in Tokyo for Olympic Gold in Men’s Basketball and the Nigerians are primed to provide a competitive touch of basketball. Nigeria are grouped with Australia, Germany, and Italy. Germany and Italy qualified for the Olympics after successful outings at their respective Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) in Serbia and Croatia. The 15-man list…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

River Hoopers splash new signings

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RIVER Hoopers have added American duo Chris Daniel, Taren Sullivan and National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion Festus Ezeli to their roster ahead of the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Nigerian outfit has set about assembling a powerhouse squad for the first installment of the competition. Ezeli won the NBA Championship in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately injuries limited Ezeli's time in the NBA in 2015-16 - He was planning a comeback before signing with the River Hoopers. In his final season with the Warriors, Ezeli averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Record 8 Nigerian players picked in historic 2020 NBA Draft

SPORT, BASKETBALL

BOITUMELO RANTAO Nigeria emerged as the winners on a historic night that saw eight of their players, two born in the country and six of Nigerian heritage, drafted into the NBA. https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1329316899981840385 Isaac Okoro who was born in the USA to Nigerian parents became the highest drafted player with Nigerian roots, drafted fifth by the Cleveland Cavaliers, since Michael Olowokandi was drafted number one overall by the LA Clippers in 1998. “It feels great to be the first Nigerian in this draft to be drafted. It’s also just a blessing. My mom always tells me to keep that Nigerian pride,”…