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
0 Comments
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. |
AuthorAdmin Archives
September 2020
Categories |