NBBF names 12 players for African World Cup Qualifier

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released a 12-man roster for the third window of the FIBA African World Cup qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, holding between June 27 and July 5.

This is contained in a statement from Afolabi Oni on behalf of the NBBF Media Committee and made available to our correspondent on Tuesday.

The team is made up of Ikenna Ndugba (Greensboro Swarm, NBA G League), Uchenna Iroegbu (Free agent), Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls), Ben Emelogu (Rouen Metropolitan, France), Michael Oriakhi (Rivers Hoopers) and Ibe Agu (Customs, Abuja),

Others are Michael Gbinijie (Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League), Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), Victor Koko (Rivers Hoopers), Christian Mekowolu (Casademont Zaragoza, Spain), TK Edogi (Kolin, Czech Republic) and Emmanuel Omogbo (H.Izrael, Israel).

It said the NBBF President, Musa Kida, announced that the team would be coached by Alan Major and assisted by Ogoh Odaudu.

”Major will deputise for the team’s Head Coach, Mike Brown that just got named Coach of the Sacramento Kings,” Kida said.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria, currently ranked first in Africa, will open its campaign against Cape Verde on Friday, before taking on Mali on Saturday.

The last game will be against Uganda on Sunday at the BK Arena in Kigali. Nigeria sits atop group A with five points from three games.

During this window, 16 teams will compete for the second leg of matches earlier decided in November 2021 and March 2022.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the second round where each team will play six games.

The two top teams in each group, along with the best third-placed team, will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.