₦airaland Forum

Ifunaya Okoro has impressed me with her defense today. If she can get her shot going this could be a big tournament for her.

Escobar girls been blowout...

4th Quarter
Nigeria - Colombia
63 : 34

Banuso99:
4th Quarter
Nigeria - Colombia
63 : 34

68 : 34 now

FT:
Nigeira 70-37 Colombia

Colombia only scored 8 points in the second half!! At a point, D’Tigress led by 34 points

This is also D’Tigress biggest margin of victory against a non-African team 🤩🤩

Belt to nyash

D’Tigress have now recorded their 9th (against a 9th different opponent) win against a non-African team at a major competition.

Nigeria's 70–37 win over Colombia was Rena Wakama's 14th victory since her appointment in 2023.

Since becoming D'Tigress' coach, she has managed 18 competitive matches, winning 14 and losing 4.👏

All hail Queen Victoria 🙌🏽🙌🏽👌🏾🤩

BascoVanVeli:
Ifunaya Okoro has impressed me with her defense today. If she can get her shot going this could be a big tournament for her.

Ifunanya Okoro is a good player. She played in Kenya before moving to Europe. I said it in 2023 that she would become a permanent fixture on Dtigress roster. She will keep developing and play in the WNBA pretty soon. Let's see how she performs at the world cup .

PDPGuy:
D’Tigress have now recorded their 8th (against an 8th different opponent) win against a non-African team at a major competition.

Nigeria's 70–37 win over Colombia was Rena Wakama's 14th victory since her appointment in 2023.

Since becoming D'Tigress' coach, she has managed 18 competitive matches, winning 14 and losing 4.👏

The opposition will get tougher in the subsequent games especially against France and Germany.

I was thinking there would be about three new players in the Dtigress squad . Did Sarah Ogoke eventually make it to France? I thought she would retire after the last Afrobasket . We don't get to see Blessing Ejiofor given many minutes on court. Hmn.

Redman44:
The opposition will get tougher in the subsequent games especially against France and Germany.

💯💯

Redman44:
I was thinking there would be about three new players in the Dtigress squad . Did Sarah Ogoke eventually make it to France? I thought she would retire after the last Afrobasket . We don't get to see Blessing Ejiofor given many minutes on court. Hmn.

We may see Blessing in tomorrow’s game

The way US is beating Senegal is just wickedness

BascoVanVeli:
The way US is beating Senegal is just wickedness

Just saw the result, and I all I can say is that was brutal!!

Yesterday's game made glaring something I've known about this team, "they have a ceiling".

What that means is even if everyone on roster gives a 100% (which in practical terms isn't possible), they can't go beyond that ceiling. What's corrects this isn't more training or better game plan but roster reconstruction.

Please realize my criticism about yesterday, and to throughout these qualifiers isn't only about what they do on the floor at the material time but how I believe that will translate at the forthcoming world cup.

If your goal is to medal at the world cup then coach Rena needs to take the bold decision to improve the roster. Since she took over, we've been terrible at shooting from 3s, what that means is every serious team just need to plan their defensive strategies around the box. It means we can't space the floor as everyone knows we aren't a threat beyond the arch. This can't continue.

I had hoped that this qualifiers would have provided an opportunity for her to extend invitations to potential players who can help the team but was disappointed that wasn't the case. The only excuse I made for the NBBF is that most of the prospects are in college and will be participating in the NCAA tournament hence their absence. I hope we get to see new faces at the scheduled preseason game with the Minnesota Lynx.

lovewins:
Yesterday's game made glaring something I've known about this team, "they have a ceiling".

What that means is even if everyone on roster gives a 100% (which in practical terms isn't possible), they can't go beyond that ceiling. What's corrects this isn't more training or better game plan but roster reconstruction.

Please realize my criticism about yesterday, and to throughout these qualifiers isn't only about what they do on the floor at the material time but how I believe that will translate at the forthcoming world cup.

If your goal is to medal at the world cup then coach Rena needs to take the bold decision to improve the roster. Since she took over, we've been terrible at shooting from 3s, what that means is every serious team just need to plan their defensive strategies around the box. It means we can't space the floor as everyone knows we aren't a threat beyond the arch. This can't continue.

I had hoped that this qualifiers would have provided an opportunity for her to extend invitations to potential players who can help the team but was disappointed that wasn't the case. The only excuse I made for the NBBF is that most of the prospects are in college and will be participating in the NCAA tournament hence their absence. I hope we get to see new faces at the scheduled preseason game with the Minnesota Lynx.

You have spoken 80 % of my mind. I was hoping to see about 3-4 new players in the squad for this FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria has already qualified, so Coach Rena and DTigress have nothing to lose by testing new players to see what they can offer. I know it is good to reward loyalty but if there are players with great potentials out there, why not give them an opportunity to prove themselves ? Even Collegiate players will want to fight for a shirt to play at the FIBA World Cup . Personally, I think Ogoke's and Ejiofor's spots should have been taken by new players to see what they can offer. Our scouting seems not to be top notch . Not good enough.

Redman44:
You have spoken 80 % of my mind. I was hoping to see about 3-4 new players in the squad for this FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria has already qualified, so Coach Rena and DTigress have nothing to lose by testing new players to see what they can offer. I know it is good to reward loyalty but if there are players with great potentials out there, why not give them an opportunity to prove themselves ? Even Collegiate players will want to fight for a shirt to play at the FIBA World Cup . Personally, I think Ogoke's and Ejiofor's spots should have been taken by new players to see what they can offer. Our scouting seems not to be top notch . Not good enough.

I can assure you that scouting isn't the issue. I follow a lot of the potential college players on Instagram and Coach Rena also follows the vast majority of them, so she's aware. I can't speak to why their inclusion isn't being expedited, the only excuse I have made for them is that the college season is still on hence their absence.

lovewins:
Yesterday's game made glaring something I've known about this team, "they have a ceiling".

What that means is even if everyone on roster gives a 100% (which in practical terms isn't possible), they can't go beyond that ceiling. What's corrects this isn't more training or better game plan but roster reconstruction.

Please realize my criticism about yesterday, and to throughout these qualifiers isn't only about what they do on the floor at the material time but how I believe that will translate at the forthcoming world cup.

If your goal is to medal at the world cup then coach Rena needs to take the bold decision to improve the roster. Since she took over, we've been terrible at shooting from 3s, what that means is every serious team just need to plan their defensive strategies around the box. It means we can't space the floor as everyone knows we aren't a threat beyond the arch. This can't continue.

I had hoped that this qualifiers would have provided an opportunity for her to extend invitations to potential players who can help the team but was disappointed that wasn't the case. The only excuse I made for the NBBF is that most of the prospects are in college and will be participating in the NCAA tournament hence their absence. I hope we get to see new faces at the scheduled preseason game with the Minnesota Lynx.

This FIBA World Cup qualifiers would have been the ideal setting to actually see the likes of Vera Ojenuwa and Grace Efosa in action. Ojenuwa was at the last Afrobasket and we did not get to see much of her on the court. So we don't actually know how good she is. Look at Team USA . Half of Team USA are fresh players- The best of the best of American young talent. Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen and Caitlin Clark are gifted and young. They are being blended into the American women's basketball machine that wins trophies.

I expected to see Hembam Wandoo and that Bayelsa born teenager who did well for the Junior DTigress at the FIBA U-16 World Cup in the squad. They need more exposure at top level tourneys to get better. They don't need to go to the World Cup , but let's see what they can offer. Cheers.

List of players that will significantly improve the roster

1. Uche Izoje: ACC First team as a freshman, won rookie of the year, led the conference in blocks and top 5 in the entire NCAA. Averaging 15.5pts on 50% FG%

2. Dominique Darius Onu: plays with Uche at Syracuse. Had a terrible season last year in USC but changed schools and suprised everyone this year.

3. Oluchi Okanawa: needs no comment. Top of the list in my opinion

4. Vernell Atamah : averaging 19 PTS in the Southland Conference this season and shooting 40% from 3s. She's also Southland Conference player of the year).

5. Candy Njoku Edokpaigbe: averaging 17.8pts this season while shooting 30% from 3s. Represented Italy at the u20 level but can still represent Nigeria.

6. Favour Nwaedozi
7. Christeen Iwuala

Redman44:
This FIBA World Cup qualifiers would have been the ideal setting to actually see the likes of Vera Ojenuwa and Grace Efosa in action. Ojenuwa was at the last Afrobasket and we did not get to see much of her on the court. So we don't actually know how good she is. Look at Team USA . Half of Team USA are fresh players- The best of the best of American young talent. Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen and Caitlin Clark are gifted and young. They are being blended into the American women's basketball machine that wins trophies.

I expected to see Hembam Wandoo and that Bayelsa born teenager who did well for the Junior DTigress at the FIBA U-16 World Cup in the squad. They need more exposure at top level tourneys to get better. They don't need to go to the World Cup , but let's see what they can offer. Cheers.

Grace Efosa while rse showed promise when she got the opportunity. Vera however is a no no for me. Was curious about her so followed her college team a bit this season and she in my opinion is now where near Dtigress level. If you can't consistently make the roster of a team like Georgia then you have no business being considered at all. She obviously can improve her game but right now I don't think she's it. Same applies to the other names your mentioned. I expect our U20 girls to either go through college or go try out for teams in Asia and Europe like Uche Izoje did.

lovewins:
Yesterday's game made glaring something I've known about this team, "they have a ceiling".

What that means is even if everyone on roster gives a 100% (which in practical terms isn't possible), they can't go beyond that ceiling. What's corrects this isn't more training or better game plan but roster reconstruction.

Please realize my criticism about yesterday, and to throughout these qualifiers isn't only about what they do on the floor at the material time but how I believe that will translate at the forthcoming world cup.

If your goal is to medal at the world cup then coach Rena needs to take the bold decision to improve the roster. Since she took over, we've been terrible at shooting from 3s, what that means is every serious team just need to plan their defensive strategies around the box. It means we can't space the floor as everyone knows we aren't a threat beyond the arch. This can't continue.

I had hoped that this qualifiers would have provided an opportunity for her to extend invitations to potential players who can help the team but was disappointed that wasn't the case. The only excuse I made for the NBBF is that most of the prospects are in college and will be participating in the NCAA tournament hence their absence. I hope we get to see new faces at the scheduled preseason game with the Minnesota Lynx.

Name the 3 point shooters u would bring in.

BascoVanVeli:
Name the 3 point shooters u would bring in.

Just put up a list.

lovewins:
Just put up a list.

The only 3 point threat u named was Atamah but she is in a poor conference. The other players are either average or poor at the 3.

lovewins:
I can assure you that scouting isn't the issue. I follow a lot of the potential college players on Instagram and Coach Rena also follows the vast majority of them, so she's aware. I can't speak to why their inclusion isn't being expedited, the only excuse I have made for them is that the college season is still on hence their absence.

It is a fact that the NCAA tournament is about to happen. Even Deborah Abiodun was not leaving school during the NCAAs

BascoVanVeli:
It is a fact that the NCAA tournament is about to happen. Even Deborah Abiodun was not leaving school during the NCAAs

That's why I mentioned it as the most plausible reason for their exclusion.

I

BascoVanVeli:
The only 3 point threat u named was Atamah but she is in a poor conference. The other players are either average or poor at the 3.

Because most of them aren't guards na. Oluchi Okanawa has consistently averaged above 30% in 3 college seasons and she's played in rough conferences. She obviously isn't best suited for this role but methinks it helps. I also think if she focuses on that she's improve her averages to near 40%.

The other person that could help here isn't very unlikely to play for us that's what I didn't even bother to include her name on the list. (I'm refering to Jazzy Davidson of USC). She didn't shoot well from 3 this season but that's because of the hand she was dealt in my opinion. With a better roster next year she's be freer with better spacing to take those shots.

The goal should be to have at least 4 persons who can consistently shoot 35%+ from 3 on roster. This makes our scouting report difficult to game plan on. It's helps spread the floor and even on days when we don't make those shots the opponents are at least aware those threats exist.

lovewins:
List of players that will significantly improve the roster

1. Uche Izoje: ACC First team as a freshman, won rookie of the year, led the conference in blocks and top 5 in the entire NCAA. Averaging 15.5pts on 50% FG%

2. Dominique Darius Onu: plays with Uche at Syracuse. Had a terrible season last year in USC but changed schools and suprised everyone this year.

3. Oluchi Okanawa: needs no comment. Top of the list in my opinion

4. Vernell Atamah : averaging 19 PTS in the Southland Conference this season and shooting 40% from 3s. She's also Southland Conference player of the year).

5. Candy Njoku Edokpaigbe: averaging 17.8pts this season while shooting 30% from 3s. Represented Italy at the u20 level but can still represent Nigeria.

6. Favour Nwaedozi
7. Christeen Iwuala

Great list. I will research on these ladies and follow them on social media. Thanks.

lovewins:
I

Because most of them aren't guards na. Oluchi Okanawa has consistently averaged above 30% in 3 college seasons and she's played in rough conferences. She obviously isn't best suited for this role but methinks it helps. I also think if she focuses on that she's improve her averages to near 40%.

The other person that could help here isn't very unlikely to play for us that's what I didn't even bother to include her name on the list. (I'm refering to Jazzy Davidson of USC). She didn't shoot well from 3 this season but that's because of the hand she was dealt in my opinion. With a better roster next year she's be freer with better spacing to take those shots.

The goal should be to have at least 4 persons who can consistently shoot 35%+ from 3 on roster. This makes our scouting report difficult to game plan on. It's helps spread the floor and even on days when we don't make those shots the opponents are at least aware those threats exist.

30% is bellow average nah.
Oluchi is baby Angel Reese. She gets most her points on the inside and that's why she shoots over 50% from the field. I want her in the team but I'm just letting you know so u don't expect a 3 point specialist. Can she improve? Maybe but right now she is poor from 3.

We have some good shooters on this team. Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun are top of the list but u can also add Ezinne, Promise and Ifunaya. Even Victoria, Pallas and Murjanatu will knock shots down if u leave them wide open.

lovewins:
List of players that will significantly improve the roster

1. Uche Izoje: ACC First team as a freshman, won rookie of the year, led the conference in blocks and top 5 in the entire NCAA. Averaging 15.5pts on 50% FG%

2. Dominique Darius Onu: plays with Uche at Syracuse. Had a terrible season last year in USC but changed schools and suprised everyone this year.

3. Oluchi Okanawa: needs no comment. Top of the list in my opinion

4. Vernell Atamah : averaging 19 PTS in the Southland Conference this season and shooting 40% from 3s. She's also Southland Conference player of the year).

5. Candy Njoku Edokpaigbe: averaging 17.8pts this season while shooting 30% from 3s. Represented Italy at the u20 level but can still represent Nigeria.

6. Favour Nwaedozi
7. Christeen Iwuala

Let's not forget our 7 footer.

BascoVanVeli:
Let's not forget our 7 footer.

Intentionally didn't include her since we are yet to see what she's like on the floor. Definitely one to keep an eye on but just not yet for me.

BascoVanVeli:
30% is bellow average nah.
Oluchi is baby Angel Reese. She gets most her points on the inside and that's why she shoots over 50% from the field. I want her in the team but I'm just letting you know so u don't expect a 3 point specialist. Can she improve? Maybe but right now she is poor from 3.

We have some good shooters on this team. Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun are top of the list but u can also add Ezinne, Promise and Ifunaya. Even Victoria, Pallas and Murjanatu will knock shots down if u leave them wide open.

Oluchi, Baby Angel Reese? Don't don't look anything alike. Don't play same position, don't have same height. The only thing similar to both of them is their hustle. Oluchi can be a pest on defence and nobody in women's basketball right now rebounds like Angel. Also, there's no universe where 30% from 3 will be categorised as below average (mind you Oluchi has never shot below 30% in her career). Best percentages from 3s are usually average 40% for volume shooters so 30% can't be below average. I agree however that it won't suffice for the need we have.