AfroBasket: NBBF picks 24 for D’Tigers preliminary roster ahead third qualifying window

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has chosen 24 players for camping ahead of the D’Tigers’ 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers third window, which will hold in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17 to 24.
[ad]
The NBBF said that the preparation will be conducted in two phases, with home-based players expected to report to camp at Bentley Hotel, Abuja, today, for the first phase billed to end on February 16, while the foreign-based players will then join the selected home-based players in Tripoli, Libya, on February 17 for the final phase of camp and the competition.

The team will be led by Head Coach, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who successfully guided the team in the first window. He will be assisted by former Nigerian international, Deji Akindele and Isikaku Ikenna Smart, an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA).

In the list made available to The Guardian are Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain),Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoppers, Nigeria), Sulaimon Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria), Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia), Rayyan AR Salis (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria), Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France), who is the team captain, Patrick Abah (Rivers Hoppers, Nigeria), Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia) and Abel Offia (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria).

Others are 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) and Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria).

The NBBF said that the D’Tigers will aim to build on their performance in the first qualification window and secure their place at the 2025 FIBA Afro Basket Championship.
[ad]