Head coach of the home based D’Tigers Ogoh Odaudu has called up 14 players for the maiden edition of the FIBA AfroCan scheduled to take place in Bamako, Mali from July 19th.
Gombe Bulls and Rivers Hoopers of Rivers with 4 players each dominate the 14-man list released by Odaudu on Wednesday.
Micheal Okiki, Ibe Agu, Abdulwahab Yakubu and Istifanus Yakubu all of Gombe Bulls will join Abdul Yahaya, Victor Koko Anthony, Onyebuchi Vincent Nwaiwu and Solomon Ezra from Rivers Hoopers.
Kano Pillars trio of Azuoma Dike, Lucky Subel and Godwin David who have been in the African Games camp in Abuja have all been called up by the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Head coach.
Others are Hoops & Read sensation, Ogunsemore Jide Micheal, Defenders captain, Joel Ijigba and Akin Akintunde.
According to Odaudu, players were invited based on their recent performances on international and continental club assignments.
“These are carefully selected players based on their activities in the last one year. We needed to pick players who can easily adapt to the style we will adopt in Mali.”
Odaudu will be assisted by Yakubu Usman, Monday Paul (Defenders) and Fisayo Bello while former junior international, Victor Okoro has been appointed as General Manager.
Meanwhile, the NBBF President, Engr Musa Kida has charged the team to see the FIBA AfroCan as a very good challenge to make a name for themselves and show the world how strong the Nigerian Basketball League is.
“I want you to take this as a very good challenge to make a name for us all on the domestic front and also when you go out, you are going to meet teams that have players coming from outside. I think most teams will have a problem as we are all preparing for the World Cup, but you are going to surely see some teams that are going to present some professionals.”
Kida who visited the team in camp on Tuesday said the team must also note that every team will come out strongly against the team with the rising profile of Nigeria on the International scene.
The team will depart for Bamako on Thursday.
