Nigerian Basketball

Nigeria is a country located in West Africa comprising of thirty-six states.

They have a huge population of 152,217,341. It’s capital city is Abuja. Nigeria is considered as one of the most populous countries in the world, they are ranked 7th. They also have the fastest growing economy in the world.

It is considered that Nigeria’s national sport is soccer but they are also significantly involved in other sports like basketball, cricket, boxing and track and field. They have a Nigeria national basketball team that represents Nigeria in international tournaments and competitions.

They are regarded as one of the best national teams in Africa, with them are the Angolans and Senegal. In FIBA world rankings, Nigeria is ranked 21st. Nigeria has produced several NBA players, to name them, they are Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Olowokandi, Obinna Ekezie, Solomon Alabi, Peter Aluma and Yinka Dare.

Nigerian national basketball team joined FIBA in the year 1964. They have been a solid competitor in FIBA Africa which they have appeared 14 times. They won silver medal in years 1997, 1999 and 2003 and gather bronze medals on 1995 and 2005.

They have qualified for the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan. They were on Group A wherein they are joined by other countries such as Argentina, France, Lebanon, Serbia and Montenegro and Venezuela. They finished the Group A bracket being the 3rd seed. Overall in the tournament, they finished 14th place.

In the last fifteen years of Nigeria in FIBA Africa, they have always had a good place in the rankings and standings.Nigeria also has its own governing body for men’s and women’s national basketball team. It is Nigerian Basketball Federation who handles the nigerian basketball teams. BUBU GYANG is the president of the current NBBF. It is found on 1964 and it has 44 registered clubs.

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