2025 Afrobasket qualifier: Home-based basketball players make D’Tigers’ list, camp opens

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released the preliminary roster for D’Tigers ahead of the 2025 FIBA Afro Basket Qualifiers 3rd Window, set to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17-24, 2025.

11 home-based players were invited while their foreign counterparts completed the 24 preliminary roster under Head Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The preliminary roster includes; Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain); Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoppers, Nigeria); Sulaimon Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria); Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia); Rayyan AR Salis (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria); Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Team Captain; Patrick Abah (Royal Hoopers, Nigeria).

Others are; Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia); Abel Offia (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria); Ugochukwu Simon (Virtus Ragusa, Italy); Wisdom Anyaoha (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria); Kareem Joseph (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria); Martins Igbanu (Niigata Albirex BB, Japan); Ifeanyi Koko (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria); Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria); Abdul Malik Abu (Arriva P. Cukier, Poland).

Christian Mekowulu (Akita Northern Happinets, Japan); Talib Zanna (KK Cibona, Croatia); Bassey Effiong (Spinet Knight, Ghana); Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Pallacanestro Varese, Italy); Vincent Buchi (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria) 22. Jason Jitoboh (Vellaznimi, Kosovo); John Egbunu (Breogan, Spain) and Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria).

Meanwhile, NBBF has announced that the D’Tigers will begin camping ahead of the 2025 FIBA Afro Basket Qualifiers 3rd Window, set to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17-24, 2025.

According to the NBBF, the preparation will be conducted in two phases. Home-based players are expected to report to camp at Bentley Hotel, Abuja, on Monday, February 10, for the first phase, which will run until February 16.

The foreign-based players will then join the selected home-based players in Tripoli, Libya, on February 17 for the final phase of camp and the competition.

D’Tigers will once again be led by Head Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, who successfully guided the team in the first window.

He will be assisted by former Nigerian international Deji Akindele and Isikaku Ikenna Smart, an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA).

D’Tigers Preliminary Roster – 2025 Afro Basket Qualifiers (2nd Window, Tripoli, Libya) Camp Details: Phase 1 (Domestic Camp): February 10 – 16, Abuja, Nigeria. Phase 2 (Final Camp & Tournament): February 17 – 24, Tripoli, Libya.