Diogu, Aminu top Nigeria's preliminary list for World Cup
ABUJA (Nigeria) - The Nigeria Basketball Federation have named an expanded list of 44 players that will compete for spots in this year's team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.
It's a mixture of veterans such as Ike Diogu and Al-Faruq Aminu and a selection of newcomers.
| Nigeria's preliminary squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 | |||
| Ado Abdul | Ochai Agbaji | Ayodeji Akindele | Alade Aminu |
| Al Farouq Aminu | Victor Anthony | OG Anunoby | Joshua Ajayi |
| Charles Bassey | Agada Caleb | Moneke Chima | Ike Diogu |
| Stephen Domingo | TK Edogi | Michael Efevberha | Obinna Emegano |
| Michael Eric | Festus Ezeli | Agui Abuchi Ibe | Ike Iroegbu |
| Tosin Mehinti | Chimezie Metu | David Nnamdi | David Nwaba |
| Jordan Nwora | Ike Nwamu | Vincent Nwaiwu | Chris Obekpa |
| Jordan Ogundiran | Michael Oguine | Victore Ocheibi | Semi Ojeleye |
| Chuma Okeke | Kezie Okpala | Ike Obiagu | Stan Okoye |
| Josh Okogie | Miye Oni | Achiuwa Precious | Zanna Talib |
| Ekpe Udoh | Stephen Ugochukwu | Ben Uzoh | Abdul Yahaya |
Key members of the team that qualified Nigeria for the World Cup in China comprising of team captain Ike Diogu, Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouk Aminu, Ben Uzoh, Jordan Nwora, Emegano Obinna, Ike Iroegbu, Chris Obekpa and Efevberha Michael are among the players that top the list for places to compete against Korea, Argentina and Russia in Group B.
The list which was drawn up by the head coach of Nigeria, Alex Nwora, noted that the players were listed ahead of the team's camp which commences on July 7, 2019 in Erie Community College, Buffalo, USA after weeks of scouting.
With an eye on earning a Tokyo 2020 Olympic spot, the squad also has Agada Caleb, Stanley Okoye, Aminu Alade, Tosin Mehinti, Zanna Talib and Ayodeji Akindele who all featured during the Qualifiers.
Others include David Nwaba (Cleveland Cavaliers), Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nwamu Ike (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Michael Eric, Charles Bassey, Ike Obiagu, Achiuwa Precious, TK Edogi, Stephen Ugochukwu and Ado Abdul, Chimezie Metu (San Antonio Spurs), Ekpe Udoh (Utah Jazz) and the recently drafted trio of Miye Oni (Miami Heat), Chuma Okeke (Orlando Magic) and Kezie Okpala (Phoenix Suns).
Nwora also extended invitation to five Nigerian based stars, Agu Abuchi Ibe, Okpe Ocheibi Victor, Abdul Yahaya, Vincent Buchi Nwaiwu, Victor Koko Anthony alongside former Golden State Warriors player, Festus Ezeli, Michael Oguine, and Jordan Ogundiran.
Ogugua “OG” Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Semi Ojeleye (Boston Celtic), Ochai Agbaji, Vincent Nnamdi, Stephen Domingos, Moneke Chima and Joshua Ifeoluwa Ajayi complete the 44- man list.
As part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation's effort to effectively prepare the team, D'Tigers will face fellow World Cup bound Dominican Republic at the Palacio de Los Deportes in San Domingo on July 20 and 22 before another test game against ex NBA and Euro All Stars on the July 26, as they round off the first phase of camping.
The Second phase of camping will commence on July 29, while the invited NBA players are expected to report to camp on August 1 before departing for Toronto on August 5, where they will be facing Canada on August 7 and 9.
Nwora will be assisted by Glynn R. Cyrien (ex Memphis Grizzlies), Mfon Kokoete Udofia (Atlanta Hawks) and Ogoh Odaudu (Rivers Hoopers).
The final 12-man list will depart for Nigeria on August 12, for the final round of training before leaving for China on August 18.
FIBA
