The Nigerian basketball team defeated the USA’s dream team by 90 – 87 points. This is arguably one of the great upsets in international basketball history”.
The Nigerian team, which will bring 15 players to Las Vegas before cutting the roster down to the final 12, features a lot of talent. Many of the names will be familiar to college basketball fans and the majority of the roster has NBA experience.
Their current squad roster includes:
Josh Okogie: Joshua Aloiye Okogie is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association and the Nigerian national team. As a 6’4″ shooting guard, he was not ranked by ESPN in the recruiting class of 2016
Gabe Vincent: Gabriel Nnamdi Vincent is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association, on a two-way contract with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League. He also plays for the Nigerian national basketball team.
Jordan Nwora: Jordan Ifeanyi Nwora is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. He plays internationally with the Nigeria men’s national basketball team.
Chimezie Metu: Chimezie Chukwudum Metu is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.
Jahlil Okafor: Jahlil Obika Okafor is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He signed with Duke as a package with Tyus Jones, with widespread recognition as the pre-season Collegiate National Player of the Year.
Obi Emegano: Obi Emegno a Nigerian professional basketball player for Fuenlabrada of the Spanish Liga ACB. He plays shooting guard position.
Caleb Agada: Caleb is a Nigerian-Canadian basketball player. He plays for Hapoel Be’er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League and the Nigerian national basketball team.
Stan Okoye: is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for Herbalife Gran Canaria of the Liga ACB. A 6’6″ swingman, he was named the 2012–13 Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year while playing for Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Kz Okpala: Chikezie “KZ” Okpala is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal.
Precious Achiuwa: Precious Ezinna Achiuwa, born September 19, 1999, is a Nigerian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.
Miye Oni: Olumiye “Miye” Oni is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Yale Bulldogs. Listed at 6 ft 4 in and 206 pounds, he plays the shooting guard position.
Ekpe Udoh: Ekpedeme Friday “Ekpe” Udoh is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who plays for BeiKong. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and the Baylor Bears. In the 2010 NBA draft, he was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the sixth overall pick.
Mike Gbinije: Michael Patrick Gbinije is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who recently played for Nevėžis Kėdainiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League. He played one season of college basketball for Duke before transferring to Syracuse in 2012.
Chima Moneke: Chima Moneke is a basketball player born on December 24, 1995. His height is six foot six (1m98 / 6-6). He is a power forward who most recently played for Nigeria in Preparation.
Ike Iroegbu: Ikenna Ugochukwu Iroegbu is a U.S.-born Nigerian basketball player for Élan Chalon. Iroegbu played college basketball for Washington State University and is a member of the Nigerian national team.
