Gbinije the only African champion serving Nigeria in W4 of the African Qualifiers
New players and coaches have come and gone to represent Nigeria, but Michael Gbinije's passion for representing Nigeria remains intact.
ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - It has been seven years since Nigeria won the FIBA AfroBasket 2015 in a dramatic fashion in Rades, Tunisia but while many players from squad have moved on into coaching and other aspects of life one player stands tall.
New players and coaches have come and gone to represent Nigeria, but Michael Gbinije's passion for representing Nigeria remains intact.
Gbinije played for Nigeria in Window 4 of the African, where D'Tigers recorded one win in three games.
Michael Gbinije is seen in action at 2015 AfroBasket in Tunisia
The 2.01m (6ft 7in ) forward helped Nigeria win gold their only AfroBasket title, in a tournament that qualified D'Tigers to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He contributed five points in the championship game against Angola. He averaged 7.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in the tournament and scored in double figures twice in eight games.
Fast forward to 2020 when he returned to the team, Gbinije remains a contributing factor to D'Tigers.
Michael Gbinije is seen alongside Chamberlain Oguchi and Ike Diogu during a Media Day at Rio 2016
Talking about Nigeria's 70-67 loss to Angola on Sunday in Abidjan, Gbinije says that it's not over for Nigeria with a final window in February 2023.
"The other games we have ahead of us are must-wins. We didn't have a good showing in this trip and we have made it tough on ourselves. Our only redemption is to look forward to the last window by winning all our games."
Gbinije told FIBA.basketball that his driving force remains his family.
"My dad was born in Nigeria and that comes down to family for me. My last name is Gbinije and everyone knows that's Nigerian. It all started when I was in College basketball in the NCAA and I dare say it has been a learning experience and a great opportunity for me playing for Nigeria. Though, I am not sure how much longer I am going to do it but I am grateful for the time I have had so far."
Putting his experience in the national team, Gbinije points out that he has had a mixture. "The experience has been a lot of turnovers with coaches, players but one thing is consistent and that is the brotherhood on the team. We always got each others' backs which I think is the most important part."
He admits that it is every player's desire to win every game buts says things don't always comes as one wishes. "I have had a lot of opportunities playing at the AfroBasket, exhibition games, the Rio Olympics 2016 and the World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria basketball is great on the global stage but we got to be better moving forward."
Speaking on the one factor that has kept Nigeria as a force in African basketball, Gbinije is quick to note that there has been a good flow of positive energy and chemistry among players.
"For every player, it's different because we got some young and older players. Some of us play out of experience and teach the younger ones as we're playing but like I said, the roster changed so much that one needs to start getting used to the new players. Overall, the chemistry off the floor helps us bond," he said.
FIBA