₦airaland Forum

Redman44:
The weeding and thinning of this Dtigress squad should start immediately. We should retain some players and drop some players who are not at their best. We need to start preparing for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup qualification games and the World Cup itself. Coach Rena has done very well to be retained. She is a good Coach and Manager of talent.

Going forward, we must start recruiting the best players available for selection. This means we cannot focus on the USA Collegiate system alone. We have to look at players with Nigerian heritage in the European basketball circuit as well. NBBF has to improve it's scouting ability to spot new talent going forward. More importantly, our home based players should be taken into a program where the best of them are ferried to Europe and North America to gain experience playing for club sides and university teams there. NBBF has to do better. Cheers.

We don't need any of this elaborate stuff. Beside getting more talents to commit, the team is doing fine.

NBBF should just improve their welfare system. Enough of those silly administrative failures.

I expect both Kiki Iriafen and Michaela to join up with team for next year’s Afrobasket; and it would do us a world of good if the NBBF can scout another talented big (between 6’5” and 6’6”)

I am really proud of the girls,they played their hearts out.

Twoclans:
I am really proud of the girls,they played their hearts out.

.....Good to see you here twoclans, its been awhile, never knew you liked basketball..

This is the way forward ..
It's unfortunately we have yooseless ,wicked and incompetent phools in our Sport ministry

Eze is fighting for a medal in weightlifting.

Murjanatu should put her name in the draft. She is at a good age and I'm sure W people took note of her performance.

fredoooooo:
This is the way forward ..
It's unfortunately we have yooseless ,wicked and incompetent phools in our Sport ministry

Let's start with keeping her on board.

D’Tigress of the Olympics will easily defend their Afrobasket title next year, winning every game.

But the team still needs quality depth because, aside from the sheer talent of Team USA, it was also a lack depth - especially good beyond the arc shooters - that cost the team that quarter final game.

I imagine that if the likes of Victoria Macaulay, Chidom, and Adaora Elonu were part of the Olympics, all the pressure wouldn’t have been on Ezinne to run the plays. And the likes of Amy and Pallas would have gotten enough rest in games, rather than playing 95% of the games.

PDPGuy:
D’Tigress of the Olympics will easily defend their Afrobasket title next year, winning every game.

But the team still needs quality depth because, aside from the sheer talent of Team USA, it was also a lack depth - especially good beyond the arc shooters - that cost the team that quarter final game.

I imagine that if the likes of Victoria Macaulay, Chidom, and Adaora Elonu were part of the Olympics, all the pressure wouldn’t have been on Ezinne to run the plays. And the likes of Amy and Pallas would have gotten enough rest in games, rather than playing 95% of the games.

...well,it is obvious that Ezinne did a lot of heavy lifting for the team,they do not need to accept it, however,we all know that our team lacks depth,there is no big man to go to,let say 15 secs to go,just get the entry pass and get out the way,we do not have that..Noticed how it was only Pallas that got real playing time as a big. Noticed how the Americans were chasing Ezinne like she stole something from them..she still showed up, truth is,it was guard play that go us through...we need to consolidate with having potent bigs too..Left to me,there are still like 5 slots on that team for grab...

PDPGuy:
D’Tigress of the Olympics will easily defend their Afrobasket title next year, winning every game.

But the team still needs quality depth because, aside from the sheer talent of Team USA, it was also a lack depth - especially good beyond the arc shooters - that cost the team that quarter final game.

I imagine that if the likes of Victoria Macaulay, Chidom, and Adaora Elonu were part of the Olympics, all the pressure wouldn’t have been on Ezinne to run the plays. And the likes of Amy and Pallas would have gotten enough rest in games, rather than playing 95% of the games.

let even say they do not want the old babes back,then,they should get solid post players that can stretch the floor,I honestly believe we should be able to punch 1 through 12.we have the talent pool to do so.. however,I think we can just do 1-6 or 7 for now.. hence,my position of a few positions are still open on this team..we also need another guard,young,high impact player like Ezinne to understudy her...

carbonado:
...well,it is obvious that Ezinne did a lot of heavy lifting for the team,they do not need to accept it, however,we all know that our team lacks depth,there is no big man to go to,let say 15 secs to go,just get the entry pass and get out the way,we do not have that..Noticed how it was only Pallas that got real playing time as a big. Noticed how the Americans were chasing Ezinne like she stole something from them..she still showed up, truth is,it was guard play that go us through...we need to consolidate with having potent bigs too..Left to me,there are still like 5 slots on that team for grab...

The bolded got me rolling 😂😂
Yeah, it was, at times, painful to watch how she was being shackled.

By the way, next year’s Afrobasket runs from July-August, right in the middle of the WNBA season. That might be an issue if the likes of Michaela and Kiki are called up for the tournament. I know Kiki still plays college basketball, but she would definitely be drafted into the WNBA next year

PDPGuy:
The bolded got me rolling 😂😂
Yeah, it was, at times, painful to watch how she was being shackled.

By the way, next year’s Afrobasket runs from July-August, right in the middle of the WNBA season. That might be an issue if the likes of Michaela and Kiki are called up for the tournament. I know Kiki still plays college basketball, but she would definitely be drafted into the WNBA next year

..we don't need both players to win Afrobasket actually..
They might not need to show up to for it...till world cup qualifying tournament.

Does anyone know where we can watch the full games again...

carbonado:
..we don't need both players to win Afrobasket actually..
They might not need to show up to for it...till world cup qualifying tournament.

Kiki Iriafen and Michaela have to really show interest in suiting up for Dtigress. If not, they can be overlooked and opportunities given to others. Both of them are already behaving like the Ogwumike Sisters who ended up not going to the Olympics in American Colours. We want players who really want to play for Nigeria. Look at Murjanatu and Ifunanya Okoro. The two of them moved from Nigerias local league to Europe. And they are blossoming. Pallas also moved from Abuja to the USA. Evelyn Akhator also moved from Nigeria to the USA. We need to start identifying the best players in our local leagues, invest in them and give them scholarships to American Colleges and Schools, Canadian Universities etc where they can improve their basketball talent by playing Collegiate basketball and then join clubs in these countries. We need a great PLAN. Thanks.

Redman44:
Kiki Iriafen and Michaela have to really show interest in suiting up for Dtigress. If not, they can be overlooked and opportunities given to others. Both of them are already behaving like the Ogwumike Sisters who ended up not going to the Olympics in American Colours. We want players who really want to play for Nigeria. Look at Murjanatu and Ifunanya Okoro. The two of them moved from Nigerias local league to Europe. And they are blossoming. Pallas also moved from Abuja to the USA. Evelyn Akhator also moved from Nigeria to the USA. We need to start identifying the best players in our local leagues, invest in them and give them scholarships to American Colleges and Schools, Canadian Universities etc where they can improve their basketball talent by playing Collegiate basketball and then join clubs in these countries. We need a great PLAN. Thanks.

I don't think it's fair to speculate on their commitment. If anything, Kiki and Michaela have been very expressive of their Nigerianness. Michaela for instance was on team Nigeria at the year Jollof war basketball celebrity competition that holds in New York yearly. Ezinne also participated if I remember correctly. I believe there must have been a valid reason for both of these players not to have been a part of the roster and I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with commitment.

I however agree with need to dig deep at home. We have talents we can explore but that won't happen with the current NBBF board quite frankly. We don't even have a functional league. Hopefully we get good guys assume office at the next elections.

lovewins:
I don't think it's fair to speculate on their commitment. If anything, Kiki and Michaela have been very expressive of their Nigerianness. Michaela for instance was on team Nigeria at the year Jollof war basketball celebrity competition that holds in New York yearly. Ezinne also participated if I remember correctly. I believe there must have been a valid reason for both of these players not to have been a part of the roster and I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with commitment.

I however agree with need to dig deep at home. We have talents we can explore but that won't happen with the current NBBF board quite frankly. We don't even have a functional league. Hopefully we get good guys assume office at the next elections.

We just seem to have bad leadership at many levels of governance and administration in Nigeria. Can't the NBBF look for sponsors like BUA Industries, Dangote Industries, Globacom etc and work with them to develop basketball in Nigeria? How much will it cost to construct basketball courts in public secondary schools in Nigeria? Great sponsors can pay for these basketball courts and release money to organize basketball Competitions at Secondary School level all over the country on a termly basis. Same for our universities and polytechnics. We can have a true and well funded Collegiate basketball league at different levels in Nigeria. Then talents will be fished out and supported to go and study in America ( Home of Basketball ) , Australia, Europe and Canada to sharpen their skills and get the exposure they need. From there, they can sign for clubs in these developed nations. We need a great PLAN.

D'Tigress - Planning for the Future

The D'Tigress did us proud at the just concluded Olympics. They exemplified what it means to imbibe the Nigerian spirit and set the pedestal for greatness that hopefully we take advantage of. Looking at our current roster, it becomes necessary that we begin to plan for the future as critical members of this team are very unlikely to participate in the next Olympics.

For instance, Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara are currently aged 33 and and 31 respectively, and would be 37 and 35 by 2028. Even if they are still active professionally at this time, they very likely would be past their prime. Seven of the 12 ladies who represented Nigeria in Paris will be at least aged 30 by 2028. There's therefore need to begin to scout for new talents and start introducing them into the team as we plan to medal in the USA.

I've highlighted below players I think should be either be brought into the team or be on our watchlist.

1. Oluchi Okananwa: Aged 20. she's a guard who currently plays for Duke WBB. An hybrid of Promise and Ezinne.

2. Kiki Iriafen: Aged 21. A Forward that needs no introduction. Currently plays for USC WBB. She's an hybrid of A'ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike.

3. Vivian Iwuchukwu: a freshman at USC. Don't know too much about her but definitely one to watch out for.

4. Clarice Uche Akunwafo: aged 21. She's a 6'6 center that plays for USC WBB. A great defensive presence and one to look out for.

5. Dominique Onu: a 5'10 guard aged 21. Also a member of the USC WBB. One to watch.

D'Tigress - Planning for the Future (2)

5. Nunu Agara: aged 19. Currently a forward at Stanford WBB. One to watch out for.

6. Kennedy Umeh: A freshman at Stanford WBB aged 18. She's a 6'4 center with high prospects. One to watch.

7. Shay Ijiwoye: A freshman at Stanford WBB aged 18. One to look out for.

8. Oyindamola Akinbolawa: a 6'5 forward that plays for Auburn WBB. One to watch out for.

NB: Both Nunu and Kennedy have represented USA basketball at age grade competitions before.

Redman44:
We just seem to have bad leadership at many levels of governance and administration in Nigeria. Can't the NBBF look for sponsors like BUA Industries, Dangote Industries, Globacom etc and work with them to develop basketball in Nigeria? How much will it cost to construct basketball courts in public secondary schools in Nigeria? Great sponsors can pay for these basketball courts and release money to organize basketball Competitions at Secondary School level all over the country on a termly basis. Same for our universities and polytechnics. We can have a true and well funded Collegiate basketball league at different levels in Nigeria. Then talents will be fished out and supported to go and study in America ( Home of Basketball ) , Australia, Europe and Canada to sharpen their skills and get the exposure they need. From there, they can sign for clubs in these developed nations. We need a great PLAN.

You're even going too far. You forgot there was a time Milo solely sponsored secondary school basketball in Nigeria. At that time Milo was synonym to basketball and all their adverts slanted towards that direction. I'm pretty sure with the right leadership they won't mind coming back.

lovewins:
D'Tigress - Planning for the Future

The D'Tigress did us proud at the just concluded Olympics. They exemplified what it means to imbibe the Nigerian spirit and set the pedestal for greatness that hopefully we take advantage of. Looking at our current roster, it becomes necessary that we begin to plan for the future as critical members of this team are very unlikely to participate in the next Olympics.

For instance, Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara are currently aged 33 and and 31 respectively, and would be 37 and 35 by 2028. Even if they are still active professionally at this time, they very likely would be past their prime. Seven of the 12 ladies who represented Nigeria in Paris will be at least aged 30 by 2028. There's therefore need to begin to scout for new talents and start introducing them into the team as we plan to medal in the USA.

I've highlighted below players I think should be either be brought into the team or be on our watchlist.

1. Oluchi Okananwa: Aged 20. she's a guard who currently plays for Duke WBB. An hybrid of Promise and Ezinne.

2. Kiki Iriafen: Aged 21. A Forward that needs no introduction. Currently plays for USC WBB. She's an hybrid of A'ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike.

3. Vivian Iwuchukwu: a freshman at USC. Don't know too much about her but definitely one to watch out for.

4. Clarice Uche Akunwafo: aged 21. She's a 6'6 center that plays for USC WBB. A great defensive presence and one to look out for.

5. Dominique Onu: a 5'10 guard aged 21. Also a member of the USC WBB. One to watch.

@ lovewins, how many of these ladies come home to Nigeria on holidays? Are they passionate about representing Nigeria? Yes, we can use them but we should look at our local talents in Nigeria, polish them up and send them to the USA, Europe etc for maximum exposure.

lovewins:
D'Tigress - Planning for the Future

The D'Tigress did us proud at the just concluded Olympics. They exemplified what it means to imbibe the Nigerian spirit and set the pedestal for greatness that hopefully we take advantage of. Looking at our current roster, it becomes necessary that we begin to plan for the future as critical members of this team are very unlikely to participate in the next Olympics.

For instance, Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara are currently aged 33 and and 31 respectively, and would be 37 and 35 by 2028. Even if they are still active professionally at this time, they very likely would be past their prime. Seven of the 12 ladies who represented Nigeria in Paris will be at least aged 30 by 2028. There's therefore need to begin to scout for new talents and start introducing them into the team as we plan to medal in the USA.

I've highlighted below players I think should be either be brought into the team or be on our watchlist.

1. Oluchi Okananwa: Aged 20. she's a guard who currently plays for Duke WBB. An hybrid of Promise and Ezinne.

2. Kiki Iriafen: Aged 21. A Forward that needs no introduction. Currently plays for USC WBB. She's an hybrid of A'ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike.

3. Vivian Iwuchukwu: a freshman at USC. Don't know too much about her but definitely one to watch out for.

4. Clarice Uche Akunwafo: aged 21. She's a 6'6 center that plays for USC WBB. A great defensive presence and one to look out for.

5. Dominique Onu: a 5'10 guard aged 21. Also a member of the USC WBB. One to watch.

Nice job with compiling this list.

I think Clarice would aid the team with rebounds on both ends, because I noticed that D’Tigress were generally deficient in offensive rebounds, which cost the team some potential points.

Gutted for France! But, man, they put in a heck of an effort 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Naija smashing Liberia 90-9 at the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket qualifiers


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdeeasCTBTM?si=7dQcHHKt6Obf7OLg

PDPGuy:
Gutted for France! But, man, they put in a heck of an effort 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Really wanted them to win. The A'ja Wilson no foul on Marine Johannes that ultimately led to KP putting up the 3 win US the game. Gutted for them.

PDPGuy:
Nice job with compiling this list.

I think Clarice would aid the team with rebounds on both ends, because I noticed that D’Tigress were generally deficient in offensive rebounds, which cost the team some potential points.

Yea I believe so. She's a freshman so can't wait to see her when the season begins. It's also more interesting because unlike others she wasn't born in the US.

Redman44:
@ lovewins, how many of these ladies come home to Nigeria on holidays? Are they passionate about representing Nigeria? Yes, we can use them but we should look at our local talents in Nigeria, polish them up and send them to the USA, Europe etc for maximum exposure.

Sourcing talents at home and scouting for talents abroad aren't mutually exclusive. Not sure why you think it is.

Also, these folks don't need to come to Nigeria before representing us, neither is it a reflection of how passionate they are about the country. Most of the most unpatriotic folks grew up here and I can give you examples but no point doing that. As at the time the Payne sisters represented Nigeria none had visited Nigeria before, yet they are some of the best we have on the Super Falcons.

Can't be too sure how things will turn out.
Imagine, Nigeria didn't win one goal in this Olympics!

This is interesting, read here:
https://thaudray.com/4/7865199

Rena Wakama wins Best coach and Ezinne Kalu makes 2nd team at Olympics


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNtHb6ClS4A

Ezinne Kalu, on IG, says she may suit up for Naija at the 2028 Olympics, if she is still in top shape as she will turn 36 in that year..

BascoVanVeli:
Rena Wakama wins Best coach and Ezinne Kalu makes 2nd team at Olympics


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNtHb6ClS4A

Basco! wetin be this!?

dankorode:
Basco! wetin be this!?

Tournament awards.