Okogie returns to D’Tigers as Nigeria unveils Afrobasket provisional squad

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced a provisional squad of 17 players for the senior men's national team, known as D’Tigers, in preparation for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket tournament set to take place in Angola from August 12 to 24.

Leading the lineup for the former champions is Josh Okogie, the recent Houston Rockets signing, who is returning to the team after a break of several years.

Previously, Okogie played for Nigeria during the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup in China back in 2019 and also participated in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.

In addition, Caleb Agada, the 2025 Basketball Africa League champion currently playing for Al Ahli Tripoli in Libya, has also been selected for the squad.

The roster includes seasoned players such as Ike Nwamu, Mike Nuga, and Talib Zanna. Peter Olisemeka and Devine Eke, who represented Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers and Senegal’s ASCVD in this year’s BAL tournament, have also received call-ups to the national team.

The preliminary list is rounded out by Kareem Joseph, Wesley Iwundu, Ugochukwu Simon, Stanley Okoye, Folabomi Fayemi, Emmanuel Omogbo, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Jekiri Tonye, though Chimezie Metu, a veteran player, is notably absent as he is recovering from a long-term injury.

The 2015 champions last convened in August 2023 for the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lagos, aiming for a spot in the Paris 2024 Summer Games, but unfortunately, Nigeria did not qualify.

Next week, the team is anticipated to begin training camps as they ramp up preparations and eventually select the final 12 players who will represent the nation in the tournament.

In Group B, Nigeria will face off against defending champions Tunisia, Cameroon, and Madagascar. D’Tigers will kick off their tournament with a match against Madagascar on August 13, followed by a game against Tunisia two days later.

They will finish the round-robin stage with a match against Cameroon on August 17. The knockout rounds are set to begin on August 18 and will culminate in the final on August 24 at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.