Returning star, Ezinne Kalu, was yesterday listed among the 12 players that will represent Team Nigeria’s women’s basketball team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
 
The Japan 2020 veteran is making her return to the team for the first time since 2022 and is expected to add her experience to the team’s quest for a podium finish, in France.
 
Other members of the squad are Amy Okonkwo, Promise Amukamara, Elizabeth Balogun, Tomi Taiwo, Ifunanya Okoro, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Murjanatu Musa, and Lauren Ebo.
   
Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi, and Adebola Adeyeye make up the squad.
The D’Tigress, who lost their second warm-up game against Serbia, on Monday, will meet Japan in their last friendly game before the battles begin on Friday.
 
The team, which lost their first preparatory match to Germany last week, flew into Lille, on Monday night, and according to reports, they are ready and determined to do the nation proud.
 
In  Monday’s game, the African champions lost 70-62 points to Serbia, who are ranked 10th in the FIBA World ranking.
 
The Rena Wakama’s ladies started slowly and trailed by six points in the first quarter, which ended 21-15.
 
Serbia took a 10-point lead into the halftime break after winning the second quarter 18-14 as well.
 
The Nigerians began a charge in the third quarter, levelling things at 18-18 before winning the last quarter by 15-13 points.
 
However, the late rally wasn’t enough as Serbia ran out with an eight-point gap.
 
They will meet Japan in Lille, today, and then retire to get ready for the start of the basketball event at the Olympics.
 
D’Tigress faces a tough challenge in Group B, where they are pitted against Canada, Australia, and hosts, France.
 
They will try to punch above their weight in Paris, with their first opponents, Australia, ranked third in the world, while Canada and France are ranked fifth and seventh respectively.