D’Tigers: NBBF Releases 17-Man Provisional Squad For 2025 FIBA Afrobasket

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released a 17-man provisional list for the senior men’s national team, D’Tigers, ahead of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket tournament.

Headlining the D’Tigers’ list for the tournament scheduled to take place in Angola from August 12 to 24, is Josh Okogie, recently signed by the Houston Rockets. He is making a return to the national team after some years away.

The former Phoenix Suns guard previously represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup in China and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Also included in the roster is 2025 Basketball Africa League champion Caleb Agada, who plays for Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli.

Other experienced players on the list are Ike Nwamu, Mike Nuga, and Talib Zanna. Peter Olisemeka and Devine Eke, who featured in this year’s BAL tournament for Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria and ASCVD of Senegal respectively, also made the cut.

The rest of the squad includes Kareem Joseph, Wesley Iwundu, Ugochukwu Simon, Stanley Okoye, Folabomi Fayemi, Emmanuel Omogbo, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Jekiri Tonye.

The most noticable absentee in the D’Tigers’ provisional squad is veteran forward Chimezie Metu, who is currently recovering from a long-term injury.

The team’s last outing was in August 2023 during the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Lagos, where Nigeria failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

D’Tigers are expected to begin camping next week in preparation for the tournament, after which the squad will be trimmed to 12 players for the final competition.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, Cameroon, and Madagascar.

The team will begin its campaign against Madagascar on August 13, face Tunisia on August 15, and wrap up the group stage against Cameroon on August 17.

The knockout stages will begin on August 18, with the final set for August 24 at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.