The 2021 Olympic basketball tournament kicked off on Saturday, July 24, and will end on Sunday, August 8. There are 3 groups consisting of 4 teams each, making a total of 12 teams participating in the tournament. And D’Tigers, Nigerian national men’s team, is among them.
D’Tigers won 2 of their 3 exhibition matches. The Nigerians beat the No 1 ranked USA and No 4 ranked Argentina while losing to the Aussies in the exhibition games.
Nigeria Olympic basketball team latest betting odds of winning
The team Nigeria is seen as an underdog at the tournament. They meet Australia, Germany and Italy in Group B. Nigeria’s chances to win group B are the second-highest, with the odds being around 6.25 (+525 American; 21/4 Fractional). Odds in the outright betting market of the tournament winner equal 34.00 (+3300; 33/1).
Nigeria Olympic basketball team results and statistics
Nigeria beat the USA 90-87 in its first exhibition match. D’tigers were trailing by 2 points at half-time and won the 2 half by 3 points. Statistics: 6/10 (60%) free throws made, 12/31 (39%) two-pointers, 20/43 (47%) three-pointers, 32/74 (43%) field goals and 46 rebounds. Gabi Vincent’s 21 points and Caleb Agada’s 17 points see them through here.
D’Tigers topped the Argentine athletes in a 94-71 win afterwards. They won the 1st half by 10 points and won the game by 23 points. Statistics: 10/16 (63%) free throws, 30/48 (63%) two-pointers, 8/31 (26%) three-pointers, 38/79 (48%) field goals and 47 rebounds.
Team Nigeria lost 69-108 to Australia in the last round of the exhibition matches. Statistics of the match were as follows: 15/19 (79%) free throws, 15/37 (41%) two-pointers, 8/32 (25%) three-pointers, 23/69 (33%) field goals and 27 rebounds.
Nigeria Olympic basketball team lineup and kay players at 2021 Olympics
There are enough good performers with top flight experience on the Nigerian team, who can make a difference
Nigeria Olympic basketball team lineup:
- KZ Okpala
- Cabel Agada
- Ekpe Udoh
- Chimezie Metu
- Obi Emegano
- Miye Oni
- Jahlil Okafor
- Josh Okagie
- Gabe Vincent
- Jordan Nwora
- Ike Nwamu
- Precious Achiuwa
Assistant coaches: Alexander Nwora, Jordi Fernandez Torres
Head coach: Mike Brown
Key player 1 (Gabe Vincent)
Gabe Vincent is a professional basketball player that features as a point guard for the Miami Heat’s Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA G League. In the exhibition matches, he has averaged 10.7 points per game, 2.3 points per game with 48% FG. He was crucial to the win against the USA with 21 points and 4 assists. Vincent has the opportunity to prove himself on the international stage and help the team as a whole.
Key player 2 (Precious Achiuwa)
Precious Achiuwa plays as a power forward for the Miami Heat. Precious was the 20th pick of Round 1 of the NBA 2020 draft. In the exhibition games, he averaged 7.3 points with 6.7 rebounds. He led the team with 20 rebounds in the three games he played. Precious will offer defensive support to the team.
Key player 3 (Josh Okogie)
Josh Okogie is a Nigerian professional basketball player who performs as shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the 20th pick of Round 1 of the 2018 NBA draft. So far Okogie has averaged 8 points per game. More is expected from Josh at the 2021 Olympics.
Key player 4 (Caleb Agada)
Caleb Agada is a Nigerian-Canadian basketball player for Hapoel Be’er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League. The team signed him on 19 May 2020. He scored 17 points and provided 2 assists in the D’Tigers win against the USA. Caleb Agada has averaged 7.0 points per game so far in the exhibition matches. He is set to be the starting point guard for D’Tigers at the Olympics barring any surprises.
Key player 5 (Jahlil Okafor)
Jahlil Okafor is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who currently plays as centre for the Detroit Pistons. In his freshman year, he played for the Duke national championship team. Okafor was the 3rd overall pick of the 2015 Round 1 NBA draft. He will play as center for team Nigeria at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Nigeria Olympic basketball team schedule and timetable
Nigerian national basketball team features in 3 matches on July 25, July 28 and July 31.
Australia vs Nigeria
- Date: Sunday, July 25
- Time: 8:20 a.m. GMT
- Venue: Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo
Nigeria vs Germany
- Date: Wednesday, July 28
- Time: 01:00 a.m. GMT
- Venue: Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo
Italy vs Nigeria
- Date: Saturday, July 31
- Time: 04:40 a.m. GMT
- Venue: Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo