D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora has released a 44 man preliminary roaster ahead of the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup in China, after weeks of scouting.

The camping exercise which will commence on July 7, 2019 in Erie Community College, Buffalo, USA will include D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh, Ike Iroegbu, Agada Caleb, Emegano Obinna, Efevhera Michael, Portland Trailblazer’s Al Farouq Aminu, Stanley Okoye, Jordan Nwora, Aminu Alade, Tosin Mehinti, Zana Talib, Chris Obekpa and Ayodeji Akindele who all featured during the qualifiers.

Others include David Nwaba (Cleveland Cavaliers), Josh Akogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nwamu Ike (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Michael Eric, Charles Bassey, Ike Obiagu, Achiuwa Precious, TK Edogi, Stephen Ugochukwu and Ado Abdul, Chimezie Metu (San Antonio Spurs), Ekpe Udoh (Utah Jazz) and recently drafted trio of Miye Oni (Miami Heat), Chuma Okeke (Orlando Magic) and Kezie Okpalla (Phoenix Suns).

Nwora also extended invitation to five Nigerian based stars, Agu Abuchi Ibe, Okpe Ocheibi Victor, Abdul Yahaya, Vincent Buchi Nwaiwu, Victor Koko Anthony alongside former Golden State Warriors player, Festus Ezeli, Michael Oguine, and Jordan Ogundiran.

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Semi Ojeleye (Boston Celtic), Ochai Agbaji, Vincent Nnamdi, Stephen Domingos, Moneke Chima and Joshua Ifeoluwa Ajayi complete the 44- man list.

As part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s effort to effectively prepare the team, D’Tigers will face fellow world cup bound Dominican Republic at the Palacio de Los Deportes in San Domingo on July 20th and 22nd before another test game against Ex NBA and Euro All Stars on the July 26, as they round off the first phase of camping.

The Second phase of camping will commence on July 29, while the invited NBA players are expected to report to camp on August 1 before departing for Toronto on August 5, where they will be facing Canada on the August 7 and 9.

Nwora will be assisted by Glynn R. Cyrien (Ex Memphis Grizzlies), Mfon Kokoete Udofia (Atlanta Hawks) and Ogoh Odaudu (Rivers Hoopers)

The final 12-man list will depart for Nigeria on August 12, for the final round of training before leaving for China on August 18.

Nigeria battle Korea, Argentina and Russia in Group B

​Invited Players

1          Ben Uzoh -                  CB Caballaeros, Chile

2          Ike Iroegbu -               Science City Germany           

3          Michael Oguine -        University of Montana USA

4          Jordfan Ogundiran -   Cal Poly Pomona USA          

5          Agu Abuchi Ibe -       Defenders, Nigeria     

6          David Nwaba -           Cleveland Cavaliers   

7          Ochai Agbaji -             Kansas University USA         

8          Josh Akogie -              Minneasota Timberwolves, USA       

9          Vincent Nnamdi         Stockton Kings USA

10        Miye Oni -                   Miami Heat USA       

11        Agada Caleb -             Melillq Baloncesto Spain       

12        Nwamu Ike -               Fort Wayne Mad Ants

13        Emegano Obinna -      Rouen Basket France 

14        Efevhera Michael -      Homemement Lebanon          

15        Stephen Domingos      Donar Holland           

16        Okpe Ocheibi Victor   Defenders, Nigeria     

17        Stanley Okoye                        Tecyconta Zaragoza Spain     

18        OG Anunoby              Toronto Raptors Canada        

19        Jordan Nwora             Louisville University USA    

20        Al Farouq Aminu        Portland Trailblazers USA     

21        Achiuwa Precious       Memphis University USA     

22        Chuma Okeke                         Orlando Magic USA  

23        Semi Ojeleye               Boston Celtics USA  

24        Abdul Yahaya             Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria         

25        Kezie Okpalla                         Phoenix Suns USA    

26        TK Edogi                    Sakarya BSB Turkey

27        Stephen Ugochukwu  Texas Legends USA  

28        Diogu Ike                    Sichun Blue Whales Cihna    

29        Aminu Alade              Hapoel SP tel Aviv Israel      

30        Chimezie Metu            San Antonio Spurs USA        

31        Moneke N. I. Chima   Melbourne Phoenix, Australia           

32        Tosin Mehinti              Real Murcia, Spain     

33        Vincen Buchi Nwaiwu                       Rivers Hoopers Nigeria          

34        Zana Talib                               Hapoel SP tel Aviv Israel      

35        Joshua Ifeoluwa Ajayi                        South Alabama University, USA      

36        Chris Obekpa              Al Riyadh Lebanon   

37        Ekpe Udoh                  Utah Jazz USA          

38        Micahel Eric                Darussafaka , Turkey 

39        Victor Koko Anthony             Rivers Hoopers Nigeria          

40        Charles Bassey                        Western Kentucky USA        

41        Fetus Ezeli                  Former Golden State Warriors, USA

42        Ado Abdul                  Mississipi State USA 

43        Ike Obiagu                  Seaton Hall University USA 

44        Ayodeji Akindele       Fuerza Regia Mexico 

 COACHES AND STAFF     

1          Alexander Nwora - Head Coach

2          Glynn R. Cyrien          - Assistant Coach

3          Mfon Kokoete Udofia - Assistant Coach

4          Ogoh Odaudu- Assistant Coach

5          Musa Adamu - General Manager

Nigeria’s Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) has been given a fresh 4-year mandate by the General Assembly of FIBA Africa Zone Three comprising Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

At the elective general assembly held at the Sheraton Hotel in Bamako Mali on Friday, Ahmedu was elected by a thunderous acclamation as he was the only candidate for the position.

The event which was conducted by the new FIBA Africa President, Anibal Manave was one free of rancour unlike the case in Madagascar in 2014.

President Manave while commending the re-elected president of Zone three expressed happiness at the high level performance of the Zone but charged him to do more for youth development and women basketball.

Ahmedu in his acceptance speech thanked the national federations present for the confidence of re-electing him as president of the Zone and promised to pay attention to the request of Manave and bring the Zone to a higher level that would see it as the best in FIBA Africa.

“It is my pleasure to accept your confidence to serve for another term of office as president 2019-2023. Your mandate is not because I am the best from the stock of FIBA Africa Zone 3 but I am glad for the confidence you have given me to continue in office as we work to achieve greater goals. We will work together to make our Zone the best in FIBA Africa.”
​
Nigeria was represented at the election by the Nigeria Basketball Federation Vice President, Babs Ogunade. 

History was made few days ago at the National Basketball Association, USA.
The defending champions, Golden State Warriors lost to Toronto Raptors, in a 4-2 game run.

Few pointers made this more special:
1. The franchise since inception just got their first championship title;
2. The players comprised of late picks in their drafts;
3. The team's president, Masai Ujiri, played for the Nigeria National team; and so on.

The Raptors were least expected to win, but did against all odds.
The leadership role Masai Ujiri played pivoted the team to this stage.

Masai Ujiri who is also the founder of Giants of Africa was elated by the result, and while the whole crew look forward to more titles after breaking the ice, they celebrate this achievement.

Meanwhile, former senate president of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki prior to the Raptors game winner, promised to work hand in hand with Giants of Africa foundation to erect sports facilities all across Nigeria.

Lastly, the Washington Wizards offer the Raptors President $10 Million a year to run their team.

NBBF ROLLS OUT DATES FOR THE 2019 SEASON

Registration of players has commenced ahead of the 2019 Basketball season for the Total National Division 1 and 2 Men’s leagues as well as the Zenith Women Basketball League.

The registration for the Total National Division 2 league which started on Saturday, June 8th will end 17th of June 2019 while that of players for the Total National Division 2 and Zenith Women Basketball leagues which started on the same day will end on the 28th of June 2019 ahead of the new season.

With 74 teams set to participate in Division 2, state preliminaries will be played between June 21st and July 27th 2019 while the Zonal playoffs will be held between August 4th and 25th of before going on a break for the FIBA Men’s World Cup and the Afrobasket for Women.

The Conference playoffs will take place from October 18th to 27th before the National Finals coming up from November 11th to 18th after which 4 teams will be promoted to Division 1.

The 12 teams in the Total National Division 1 will have their players’ registration through affiliated State Basketball Associations ahead of the conference playoffs starting from July 2nd to 18th.

The National finals (Top 8) will run from September 16th and 30th at a venue to be decided by the federation.

In the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, Elephant Girls will begin their title defence on the 1st of July.

The 2019 season will see the introduction of a home and away format with the 24 teams divided into 4 groups.

The Conference playoffs (4 teams in each group) divided into the traditional Atlantic and Savannah Conferences will be played in a round robin format between August 27 and September 20, 2019 immediately after the 2019 Afrobasket Women’s break.

The National finals come 10 days later on September 30th with the final slated for October 5th.

Registration for the Men’s Premier League begins on Monday, June 10th and ends on June 24th through the State Basketball Associations.

Regular season will be between July 8th and August 14th before the FIBA World Cup break.

Conference playoffs will be decided between September 21st and October 2nd before the semifinals which will run from October 15th to 24th.

The semifinals stage made up of the top 4 teams at the end of the conference playoffs will play the best of 3 games.

4 teams will proceed to the National Final to be decided between the November 2nd and 9th 2019.