D’Tigress: Coach, players urge NBBF to build on Olympics feat

Some basketball enthusiasts have urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation to ensure the country builds on the laudable outing of the senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Despite being pitted against higher-ranked Australia, France, and Canada for the Women’s Basketball Tournament, René Wakama’s team braced the odds to progress from the group.

They opened their campaign with a shocking 75-54 victory against Australia, their first win in the Olympics in 20 years, and lost by the same margin to France in their second game before defeating Canada 79-70 in their final group game to qualify for the quarterfinals, becoming the first African team (women or men) to make it beyond the group phase in the history of Olympic basketball.

Though their journey was ended by the United States at the quarterfinals, the African champions won the adoration of fans and the respect of the world, including their opponents, taking pride in their accomplishments.

The impressive outing in Paris earned Wakama the best coach of the Women’s Basketball Tournament honour, while New Jersey-born point guard and three-time Afrobasket champion Ezinne Kalu made the star-studded All-Second Team of the tournament.

Basketball coach Stephen John said, “We all saw what D’Tigress did at the Olympics, and they deserve every accolade they received. It is only wise that the NBBF see how we can build on the success achieved at the Olympics.”

A former Kwara Falcons player, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, added, “Unfortunately, the federation will want to take glory for the team’s good outing in Paris, but we know how poorly prepared they were for the tournament.

“They did very well, and we are all happy that they proved to the world what they are capable of, but I hope we can build on that success, and that is up to the federation. What we saw in Paris was a sign that if we get things done right, we can compete with the best in the world. The federation should do the needful for us to continue to grow.”

Theresa Michael added, “As a female basketball player, I can’t tell you how happy I am with what D’Tigress did, but we need to ensure that we don’t relent. Every one of them needs to be compensated and motivated to ensure that they continue to do better, and for those of us in the country, they should ensure we have a league again.”