LAGOS (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Fresh off a runners-up finish at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, Nigeria head coach Alex Nwora is adamant that grassroots basketball program is the way forward for his country and the continent as a whole.

Although based in the U.S where he coaches Erie Community College, Nwora believes African countries can excel if they are open to pragmatic approach at developing the sport from grassroots. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Nwora described Africa as the next destination of basketball superpowers, but shareholders must be ready to invest in youth development.

"Africa is blessed with raw talents but these talents can only be properly harnessed through an holistic grassroots program so that players would be through the basics of the game before going abroad," Nwora explained.

"My experience working with two different national teams [Cape Verde and Nigeria] at FIBA AfroBasket gives me a lot of insight that Africa is the next destination of big basketball nations, and the more we start to work on making it, the better for the continent."

Nwora was confirmed as Nigeria head coach last August, four weeks before the start of this year's African Championship.

With just two weeks of preparations, and without facing a national team during their training camp, Nwora's Nigeria went on to reach the Final, losing to hosts Tunisia.

"They are new to this environment, and they have done more than what I expected from of them," he said.

FIBA