Among the current qualifiers for the Olympics – Japan, United States, Argentina, Iran, France, Spain, Australia and Nigeria – the latter is therefore the only African country for the moment. And he has a squad, on paper, very interesting and competitive.
All coached by Mike Brown, assistant to the Warriors and former NBA finalist with the Cavaliers in 2007. Nigeria seems to have all the elements to succeed in a good Olympic tournament, which would be a first for an African country.
“We want the country and its diaspora to support us, because we have the feeling of representing all of Africa at the Olympic Games”, explains Brown to The Undefeated. “There are still a few teams from the continent that can qualify (Tunisia, Senegal and Angola), but it will be very difficult, so we’ll see. But for the moment, we are part of the eight Olympic teams and we use Nelson Mandela’s phrase as a mantra for this competition. “
This quote is the one where the former president of South Africa said that “The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. Black people around the world need Nigeria to be great, as a source of pride and confidence ”.
“The talent is there”
African basketball is still waiting for one of its countries to participate in the quarter-finals and finish in the Top 8 of this competition. Even more an Olympic medal, which still does not exist in the prize list after almost a century since basketball has been an Olympic sport since the infamous Berlin Games in 1936. And if it was finally the right year?
“We have more players, with Nigerian origins, in the NBA than any country, except the United States”, continues the former Lakers coach. “So the talent is there. It’s just about being on the same page, that everyone is eager to play and want to get involved. There are about ten players in the NBA who will come and try to be part of the team. I am passionate about my work as a Nigeria coach. I’m trying to advance basketball here, I know there is huge potential. Wanting to implement it, to perform at the highest level, that motivates me. ”
Nigeria will start the competition on July 25 against Australia, the same day as France – United States. Then, in his group B, Mike Brown’s men will face two countries that will come out of the TQO (pre-Olympic qualifying tournament).
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