LUANDA (Angola) - Nigeria's 2025 AfroBasket campaign ended abruptly with a 91-75 loss to Senegal in the quarterfinals. However, Stan Okoye prefers to focus on the positives and the team's future.
Nigeria won three of their Group B games, but they fell short in the Last Eight when it mattered most.
Okoye, the only AfroBasket champion on the Nigeria roster, played a pivotal role as a veteran, but he ultimately admitted to being disappointed by the outcome.
Disappointed? Yes! Proud to be a D'Tiger, though, he suggested.
He remembers being a young man learning the ropes when he last represented Nigeria at the AfroBasket in Tunisia 10 years ago.
Fast forward to the 2025 AfroBasket: Okoye is now the steady hand guiding a new generation.
Okoye remains optimistic, believing that the future of Nigerian basketball is promising.
Following Nigeria's loss in the quarterfinals to Senegal, Okoye shared his thoughts on the team's campaign and emphasized the significance of wearing the D'Tigers uniform.
"It means a lot. It is always an honor to represent the country," the 34-year-old told FIBA.basketball.
"It's been some time since I last wore the jersey. Unfortunately, we lost, but it's always a privilege to wear the jersey," said Okoye, who averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game at the tournament.
Okoye recalled being part of the 2015 AfroBasket championship team led by Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh, and tournament MVP Chamberlain Oguchi.
"I was young at the time. I was 24 and trying to learn and soak in the experience. We had great leadership, and it was probably one of the best teams I've ever been on. It was amazing," said Okoye.
Following the loss to Senegal, he reconnected with Coach Will Voigt, who led the Nigerian team to the 2015 championship title and is currently working as a commentator at the tournament.
"It was great. When we saw each other earlier, we had a conversation. We reminisced about winning the championship and how time has passed. A lot has happened in the last 10 years, and it's great to see him again," Okoye said.
Okoye, who last played for the Tigers at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, is a team veteran at 34. He intimated that Nigeria can only be successful if players show up for the team.
"It felt good to be with this team. We have a great team. Tonight was not our night.
It's an honor to be one of the team's leaders and bring my experience to the game," Okoye said. "We need everybody to show up. We have to approach things humbly and bring our best every time."
With Nigeria's time in the tournament coming to an end, Okoye told his players not to dwell on the loss because there will be more basketball to play later in the year.
"We have to keep our heads up. We have to keep going. There is a lot more basketball to play. The AfroBasket has ended for us, but the World Cup qualifiers are coming up. Stay positive, and keep Nigeria on top," said Okoye.
FIBA