After making some noise in the exhibition schedule by upsetting Team USA, Nigeria will be looking to become the first African men’s basketball team to win an Olympic medal. And they’ll be doing so with a roster that features eight current NBA players, along with one former NBA player.
Here’s the 12-man squad that will represent Nigeria at the Tokyo games, per the Nigeria Basketball Federation (Twitter link):
- Precious Achiuwa (Heat)
- Caleb Agada
- Obi Emegano
- Chimezie Metu (Kings)
- Ike Nwamu
- Jordan Nwora (Bucks)
- Jahlil Okafor (Pistons)
- Josh Okogie (Timberwolves)
- KZ Okpala (Heat)
- Miye Oni (Jazz)
- Ekpe Udoh
- Gabe Vincent (Heat)
Achiuwa, Nwora, Okafor, Okogie, and Okpala are all on guaranteed contracts for next season with their respective teams. Metu and Oni are on non-guaranteed deals, while Vincent will be eligible for restricted free agency after finishing the season on a two-way pact. Udoh, a former sixth overall pick who just finalized a two-year deal with Italian club Virtus Bologna, has appeared in a total of 400 NBA games (regular season and postseason)
While the Nigerian squad isn’t exactly loaded with star power, it’s worth highlighting since it’s rare for any country besides Team USA to send so many current NBA players to the Olympics.
Australia’s team will have seven players who finished the season on NBA rosters, while Spain’s roster features 10 players with at least some NBA experience. But the U.S. team is the only other one in Tokyo that will feature at least eight current NBAers.
Means nothing in Fiba play…. If you can’t knock down shots and sis in defense you will lose
Much like canada with hockey, the talent gap between the U.S. and the rest of the basketball world is getting smaller,and before they know it the gap will be closed
Haha. The US would win every game by 25+ if the top 12 American players in the NBA were playing. The gap only appears to be closing because this team is horribly constructed and they were getting used to playing together.
I also think the NBA’s rule changes over the past 5-6 years have done the USA no favors. European players used to be seen as soft but now the USA players can’t play through contact because every tiny touch is a foul in the NBA.
The gap has almost closed, even with the top 12.
The USA used to be able to win by merely getting to the gym on time.
Those days are over.
No doubt The gap is shrinking and the USA Better bring their A game.
7 of the 8 guys listed currently in the NBA were born in the USA, only Precious wasn’t. So the states are helping close the gap.
USA actually has to play well just to medal, let alone win it.
Who thinks team USA got this?
None of the smart bettors…
USA better get all the stars that are American. Back when Duncan, LeBron, Curry, Kawhi, PG, KG, and just about everyone else used to actually play for team USA. That is when they were a powerhouse. Now half the best players on every nba team are foreign. Ex: Joel, Giannis, Gobert, Vooch, Valanciunas (2nd best) and then like KP, Luka, everyone else that is a star. The nba has def changed. Team USA and Grant hill need to change with it. At least that’s imo
They could stop relying on wings… But that is what is considered modern by USA coaches.
Point-wing-big or guard-forward-center.
Curry never played in the Olympics
You do know all those international players play for different countries right. Our advatange as always is depth of talent.
Big Miami Heat representation. Ike Nwamu was also on their G-league teams with the Skyforce. Really specifically hoping to see how Okpala looks with more of an opportunity than he has had. I really liked his potential his draft year, but he hasnt had the chance to play in summer league b/c of an injury, and then the pandemic. He would fill a really big need for the Heat, and I was hoping to see him get minutes in that matchup with Milwaukee, but it didnt happen…
Not sure how many of them are Nigerian, but I remember watching that jr NBA tournament the first 2 years they did it, and team Africa looks like it’s coming pretty strong in the near future. Like everyone there is a Giannis, Embiid, Bam, Ibaka, Durant type in the making, at least that’s what it felt like. Just a couple of those guys develop, and that’s a lot of potential to look at in the future. Those guys are lengthy, super athletic, and their skillsets are really impressive across the board for their size