Nigeria women's national basketball team
Encyclopedia
The Nigeria women's national basketball team, also known as D'Tigers, is the national women's basketball
team in Nigeria
it is ranked number one in the Africa
n continent and in the top 20 in the world.
.
Olayinka Sanni
, Mfon Udoka
, Mercy Okorie, Ononiwu Chisaokwu, Ekworomadu Joyce, Ugochukwu Oha, Charity Egenti, Sefi Mojidi, Marie Izidor Enjol, Chioma Udeaja, Funmilayo Ojelabi-Ogunleye, and Amaka Adibeli.
Head Coach: Ayo Bakare
Assistant Coaches: Patrick Omo-Osagie and Mfon Udoka
in basketball, one of ten events their national teams qualified for. The Nigerian women's basketball team was one of the twelve teams competing in the event. They earned their berth through a zone qualifying tournament and played in Group A along with Australia
, Brazil
, Greece
, Japan
, and Russia
. The team went 0–5 in the preliminary round. In the 11/12th place game, they defeated the Korea
for a final finish of 11th out of 12 teams. With this win, they became the first women's African basketball team to win a game at the Olympics.
Mfon Udoka was the team's leading scorer and the tournament's second highest scorer. Team athletes Itoro Umoh-Coleman
and Joanne Aluka both played high school basketball at Hephzibah High School
prior to playing together for Nigeria.
. They were placed into Group C with China, Russia, and the United States
. Nigeria did not qualify for a pass into the second round and were defeated in the 15/16th place game by fellow African representatives Senegal
by a score of 66–64. Their tournament record was 0–5.
Nigeria also participated in the 2006 Commonwealth Games
held in Melbourne, Australia.
; the qualifying event for African teams attempting to make the 2008 Summer Olympics
. Nigeria made it to the quarterfinals of the 2007 FIBA African Championship before losing to Mozambique
69–61. They won fifth place by defeating Cameroon
63–50. The team did not qualify for the Beijing
Olympic Games.
The Nigerian squad went undefeated in group play during the 2007 All-Africa Games
. They went on to the semi-finals and lost to Mozambique 57–46.
.
Women's basketball
Women's basketball is one of the few women's sports that developed in tandem with its men's counterpart. It became popular, spreading from the east coast of the United States to the west coast , in large part via women's colleges...
team in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
it is ranked number one in the Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n continent and in the top 20 in the world.
Current squad
This is a list of the members of the squad as of the FIBA Africa Championship for Women 2007FIBA Africa Championship for Women 2007
- Group B :-Championship bracket:-5th place bracket:-9th place bracket:-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:-Honors:...
.
Olayinka Sanni
Olayinka Sanni
Olayinka Sanni is an American professional basketball player. She most recently played the center / power forward position for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.-College career:...
, Mfon Udoka
Mfon Udoka
Mfon Sunday Udoka is a Nigerian American professional basketball player and the new Assistant Coach of the Nigeria women's national basketball team the Lady Tigers. Udoka graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland before attending DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois from 1994-98...
, Mercy Okorie, Ononiwu Chisaokwu, Ekworomadu Joyce, Ugochukwu Oha, Charity Egenti, Sefi Mojidi, Marie Izidor Enjol, Chioma Udeaja, Funmilayo Ojelabi-Ogunleye, and Amaka Adibeli.
Head Coach: Ayo Bakare
Assistant Coaches: Patrick Omo-Osagie and Mfon Udoka
Mfon Udoka
Mfon Sunday Udoka is a Nigerian American professional basketball player and the new Assistant Coach of the Nigeria women's national basketball team the Lady Tigers. Udoka graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland before attending DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois from 1994-98...
2004 Summer Olympics
The Nigerians competed at the 2004 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex....
in basketball, one of ten events their national teams qualified for. The Nigerian women's basketball team was one of the twelve teams competing in the event. They earned their berth through a zone qualifying tournament and played in Group A along with Australia
Australia women's national basketball team
The Australia Women's National Basketball Team is the women's National Basketball team for Australia. They won Gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 defeating New Zealand's Tall Ferns in the final match with a score of 77–39. They then followed it up with a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA...
, Brazil
Brazil women's national basketball team
Brazil women's national basketball team is the official women's basketball team for Brazil. They won the 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women in Australia.-Olympic Games:* 1992: 7th place* 1996: 2nd place * 2000: 3rd place...
, Greece
Greece women's national basketball team
The Greek women's national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international women's basketball competitions and it is organized and run by the Greek Basketball Federation.-Olympic Games:-FIBA World Championship:-EuroBasket:...
, Japan
Japan Basketball Association
The Japan Basketball Association is the governing body of basketball in Japan. Formed in 1930, it is based in Tokyo. The JABBA is a member of the International Basketball Federation and FIBA Asia...
, and Russia
Russia women's national basketball team
The Russia women's national basketball team represents Russia in international basketball competitions for Women. The team has participated in the FIBA World Championship for Women since 1998 and their best finish has been a silver medal in 1998, 2002 and 2006...
. The team went 0–5 in the preliminary round. In the 11/12th place game, they defeated the Korea
Korea women's national basketball team
Korea women's national basketball team is the national women's national basketball team of South Korea. The South Koreans are the defending Asian champions after defeating China at the 2007 championships, 79–73. As a result, the Koreans qualified outright to the Olympics for the sixth time...
for a final finish of 11th out of 12 teams. With this win, they became the first women's African basketball team to win a game at the Olympics.
Mfon Udoka was the team's leading scorer and the tournament's second highest scorer. Team athletes Itoro Umoh-Coleman
Itoro Umoh-Coleman
Itoro Umoh-Coleman is a former WNBA basketball player. She played for the Lady Clemson Tigers in college and is currently the head basketball coach for that team...
and Joanne Aluka both played high school basketball at Hephzibah High School
Hephzibah High School
Hephzibah High School is a high school, located in south Richmond County in the town of Hephzibah, Georgia, United States. It is a part of the Richmond County School System. Hephzibah High School is the largest high school, by attendance, in the Richmond County School System...
prior to playing together for Nigeria.
2006 FIBA World Championship for Women
Nigeria qualified for the 2006 FIBA World Championship by winning the 2005 FIBA Africa Championship for WomenFIBA Africa Championship for Women
The FIBA Africa Women's Championship is the women's basketball continental championship of Africa, played biennially under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, the basketball sport governing body, and the African zone thereof...
. They were placed into Group C with China, Russia, and the United States
United States women's national basketball team
The United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
. Nigeria did not qualify for a pass into the second round and were defeated in the 15/16th place game by fellow African representatives Senegal
Senegal women's national basketball team
The Senegal women's national basketball team is the nationally-controlled basketball team representing Senegal at world basketball competitions for women...
by a score of 66–64. Their tournament record was 0–5.
Nigeria also participated in the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Nigeria at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Nigeria is represented at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne by a xx-member strong contingent comprising xx sportspersons and xx officials.-Medals:-Gold:Athletics'WeightliftingTable Tennis-Silver:Athletics-Bronze:...
held in Melbourne, Australia.
Team in 2007
The team attended the FIBA Africa Championship for Women 2007FIBA Africa Championship for Women 2007
- Group B :-Championship bracket:-5th place bracket:-9th place bracket:-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:-Honors:...
; the qualifying event for African teams attempting to make the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. Nigeria made it to the quarterfinals of the 2007 FIBA African Championship before losing to Mozambique
FIBA Africa
FIBA Africa is a zone within the FIBA basketball association which contains all 53 national African FIBA federations, it was founded in 1961. FIBA Africa maintains offices in Cairo and in Abidjan.-FIBA Africa national teams:Zone 1Zone 2...
69–61. They won fifth place by defeating Cameroon
FIBA Africa
FIBA Africa is a zone within the FIBA basketball association which contains all 53 national African FIBA federations, it was founded in 1961. FIBA Africa maintains offices in Cairo and in Abidjan.-FIBA Africa national teams:Zone 1Zone 2...
63–50. The team did not qualify for the Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
Olympic Games.
The Nigerian squad went undefeated in group play during the 2007 All-Africa Games
Basketball at the 2007 All-Africa Games
The Basketball tournament at the 2007 All-Africa Games was held in Algeria from 12 July to 22 July. The winners were Angola who defeated Egypt in the finals 56-50....
. They went on to the semi-finals and lost to Mozambique 57–46.
2009 Nations Cup
Nigeria has qualified for the 2009 Africa Cup of Nations (basketball) to be held in LibyaLibya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
Former players and coaches
This is a list of former players and coaches, as well as current players who have played on past squads, with their years on the team indicated by the Nigerian flag beneath a given year.| Name | Number | Position | Nationality | |2005 | |2007 | |2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olawunmi Adebayo | 9 |  |
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| Tayeloly Adeniyi | 10 | |
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| Mobolaji Akiode Mobolaji Akiode Mobolaji Akiode is a Nigerian women's basketball player.A member of the Nigeria women's national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games, Akiode is a graduate of Fordham University. At Fordham, Akiode won all-conference honors in her senior year and was the eighth... |
6 | Guard | Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
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| Joanne Aluka Joanne Aluka Joanne Aluka is a Nigerian American women's basketball player.Aluka competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Nigeria women's national basketball team. She was born in Mississippi in the United States and acquired Nigerian citizenship through her parents. She attended Hephzibah High School in... |
5 | Forward | United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
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| Mactabene Amachree Mactabene Amachree Mactabene Amachree is a former Nigerian professional basketball player. In 2001, she became the first Nigerian to play in the WNBA. Amachree played on the Nigeria women's national basketball team in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She is also the princess of the Ojuka Clan of the Kalabari people in... |
13 | Guard | Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
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| Parricia Chukwuma | 12 | |
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| Kevin Cook Kevin Cook Kevin Lee Cook is an American basketball coach, and former collegiate athlete, who is now the women's basketball head coach at Gallaudet University.*... |
Coach Coach (basketball) Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is... |
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| Adenike Dawodu | 11 | |
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| Nguveren Iyorhe | 10 | Guard | |
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| Ezinne James | 15 | |
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| Aisha Mohammed | 9 | Guard | |
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| Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu | 7 | Guard | |
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| Scott Nnaji | Coach Coach (basketball) Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is... |
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| Chineze Nwagbo | 8 | |
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| Linda Ogugua Linda Ogugua Linda Ogugua Linda Ogugua Linda Ogugua (born 12 April, 1978 is a Nigerian women's basketball Center. Ogugua attended Biola University in California, United States and with the Nigeria women's national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics.-Personal:... |
15 | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in... |
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| Morolake Ogunoye | 5 | |
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| Ugo Oha Ugo Oha Ugochukwu Henrietta Oha is a Nigerian women's basketball player. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Nigeria women's national basketball team and attended George Washington University.-References:... |
8 | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
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| Ugochuckwu Oha | 15 | |
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| Funmilayo Ojelabi-Ogunleye | 10 | |
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| Mercy Okorie | 7 | |
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| Adeola Olanrewaju | 14 | |
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| Taiwo Rafiu Taiwo Rafiu Taiwo Rafiu is a Nigerian women's basketball player. She attended Oklahoma City University in the United States and with the Nigeria women's national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics.-References:... |
14 | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
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| Rashidat Sadiq Rashidat Sadiq Rashidat Odun Sadiq is a Nigerian women's basketball player. She played in the United States with the University of Connecticut Huskies and Oklahoma State Cowgirls. She also played with the Nigeria women's national basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth... |
12 | Forward | |
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| Samuel Vincent Samuel Vincent Samuel Vincent is a Canadian voice actor who works with the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:... |
Coach Coach (basketball) Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is... |
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| Itoro Umoh-Coleman Itoro Umoh-Coleman Itoro Umoh-Coleman is a former WNBA basketball player. She played for the Lady Clemson Tigers in college and is currently the head basketball coach for that team... |
4 | Guard | United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
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| Tamunomiete Whyte | 5 | |
*Olympic games attended by the squad indicated in this year.