The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released the preliminary roster for the men’s national basketball team, the D’Tigers, ahead of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers third window, set to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from 17-24 February 2025.
11 home-based players made the 24-man preliminary roster with the rest made up of foreign-based players, with the team to be led by head coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, who navigated the team through the first window.
Mohammed will be assisted by former Nigerian international Deji Akindele and Isikaku Ikenna Smart, an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The NBBF, meanwhile, revealed that the D’Tigers will begin camping ahead of the AfroBasket Qualifiers, with the preparation to be conducted in two phases.
Home-based players are expected to report to camp at Bentley Hotel in Abuja, on Monday, 10 February for the first phase, which will run until 16 February.
The foreign-based players are expected to join the selected home-based players in Tripoli, on 17 February for the final phase of camp as well as the qualifiers.
D’Tigers Preliminary Roster – 2025 Afro Basket Qualifiers (2nd Window, Tripoli, Libya) and camp details; Phase 1 (Domestic Camp): February 10 – 16, Abuja, Nigeria. Phase 2 (Final Camp & Tournament): February 17 – 24, Tripoli, Libya.
D’Tigers Preliminary Roster – 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers (2nd Window, Tripoli, Libya).
Full D’Tigers Preliminary Roster
Home-based players: Ifeanyi Koko, Okiki Michael, Patrick Abah, Abel Offia, and Vincent Buchi (Rivers Hoppers); Sulaimon Azeez, Kareem Joseph, and Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads); Rayyan AR Salis and Wisdom Anyaoha (Gboko City Chiefs); Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria).
Foreign-based players: Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Team Captain, Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain), Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia), Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia), Ugochukwu Simon (Virtus Ragusa, Italy), Martins Igbanu (Niigata Albirex BB, Japan), 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), Jason Jitoboh (Vellaznimi, Kosovo), and John Egbunu (Breogan, Spain).
