ABUJA (Nigeria) - The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has hired Mike Brown as head coach of the D'Tigers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, NBBF confirmed on Wednesday.

Brown, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant to Steve Kerr with NBA's Golden State Warriors, takes over from Alex Nwora.

"WE WANT TO MAKE ALL OF NIGERIA PROUD."
- Brown

D'Tigers head coach since 2017, Nwora, who masterminded his country's run at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup, will serve as Brown's assistant.

According to the NBBF, the winners of the 2015 African Championship, sought a coach with NBA background, and the 49-year-old Brown emerged as the right choice to lead the D'Tigers in their third straight Olympics appearance.

"I'm excited to have learned that the Federation's vision is to provide the team with the necessary resources to compete at the highest level. Their commitment will enable the players and coaches to focus our energy on competing at the highest possible level every time we step on the basketball court. We want to make all of Nigeria proud," Brown is quoted as saying to ESPN.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, NBBF chairman Musa Kida elaborated their decision to go for Brown. "He also has a very (impressive) CV in terms of coaching basketball around the world. His 12-0 record as an acting head coach in 2016 was also one of the reasons the (Golden State) Warriors won the title."

"I'm honored and humbled that the Nigerian Basketball Federation have given me this opportunity," Brown said.

Brown will become the second American to coach the Nigerians at an Olympics after Will Voigt led them at Rio Olympics 2016.

Nigeria currently register a 2-8 record at the Olympics dating back to their debut in 2012.

FIBA