NBBF Release 12-man Roster for FIBA African World Cup Qualifiers in Kigali

By Emmanuel Oladele - The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released a 12-man roster that will represent Nigeria in Kigali for the third window of the FIBA African World Cup Qualifiers.

Top players in the list are; Rouen Metropolitan of France Star Ben Emelogu, APOEL of Israel Power Foward Emmanuel Omogbo, Gombe Bulls' Michael Okiki, Uchenna Iroegbu and Others. See the full roster below;

12-man Roster

• Ben Emelogu (Rouen Metropolitan, France)

• Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls, Nigeria)

• Ikenna Udugba (Greensboro Swarm, NBA G League)

• Uchenna Iroegbu (Free Agent)

• Michael Oriakhi (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)

• Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria)

• Michael Gbinijie (Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League)

• Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings, USA)

• Victor Koko (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)

• Christian Mekowolu (Casademont Zaragoza, Spain)

• TK Edogi (Kolin, Czech Republic)

• Emmanuel Omogbo (APOEL, Israel)

The team will be coached by Alan Major and assisted by Ogoh Odaudu.

D'Tigers will play their first game against Cape Verde on Friday, July 1, and the second game against Mali on Saturday, while the third will be against Uganda on Sunday July 3. All the three games will hold at the BK Arena in Kigali. Nigeria currently top group A with five points after three games.

After this third window, the top three teams from each group will proceed to the second round where each team will play six games. The top two teams from each group and the best third-placed team will represent Africa in the next FIBA Basketball World Cup which hold in 2023. D'Tigers are one of the favourites to qualify for the World Cup, being the number one ranked team in Africa.