The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have unveiled the preliminary squad for D’Tigers as they gear up for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers 3rd Window in Tripoli, Libya from February 17-24, 2025.
A two-phase preparation is lined up for the team as invited Home-based players will kick off the first phase at Bentley Hotel, Abuja, on February 10, which will conclude on February 16.
The foreign-based players will then join their home-based counterparts in Tripoli, Libya, on February 17 for the final phase of preparations in order to be fully ready for the first match of the qualifiers.
Head Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed will lead the charge, having guided the team in the first window. His assistants include former Nigerian international Deji Akindele and Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) assistant coach Isikaku Ikenna Smart.
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D’Tigers will be seeking to improve on their performances from the first qualification window to secure a spot at the 2025 FIBA Afro Basket Championship in Angola scheduled from 12-24 August.
Unsurprisingly, Rivers Hoopers’ shooting guard, Offia Abel, was among the home-based players called up to the national team for the Afrobasket qualifiers, alongside four of his teammates, following an impressive year that saw him win the 2024 Rising Star award and MVP of the CDS Independence Day Basketball Championship.
In addition to home-based players from Rivers Hoopers, three players from Hoops and Reads and two from Gboko City Chiefs also earned spots in the national team’s squad for the Afrobasket qualifiers, showcasing the increasing quality of the league and the abundance of talent in the country.
FULL PRELIMINARY ROSTER FOR D’TIGERS
- Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
- Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain)
- Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoppers, Nigeria)
- Suleiman Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
- Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia)
- Rayyan AR Salis (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
- Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Team Captain
- Patrick Abah (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
- Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia)
- Abel Offia (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
- Ugochukwu Simon (Virtus Ragusa, Italy)
- Wisdom Anyaoha (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
- Kareem Joseph (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
- Martins Igbanu (Niigata Albirex BB, Japan)
- Ifeanyi Koko (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
- Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria)
- Abdul Malik Abu (Arriva P. Cukier, Poland)
- Christian Mekowulu (Akita Northern Happinets, Japan)
- Talib Zanna (KK Cibona, Croatia)
- Bassey Effiong (Spinet Knight, Ghana)
- Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Pallacanestro Varese, Italy)
- Vincent Buchi (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
- Jason Jitoboh (Vellaznimi, Kosovo)
- John Egbunu (Breogan, Spain)
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