OLYM - Dagunduro drives Nigeria home

LONDON (Olympics) - Nigeria almost blew a 19-point lead in the first game of the Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament against Tunisia on Sunday morning but held on to win, 60-56.

The African champions might have pulled off a stunning comeback against Ayodele Bakare’s team had it not been for the strong, composed play of guard Ade Dagunduro.

The game-winner in their upset of Greece in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas, Venezuela, earlier this month, Dagunduro controlled the tempo against Tunisia late in the last minutes and also went hard to the basket and drew fouls that allowed him to make vital free-throws.

The 1.95m Dagunduro spoke to fiba.com after the tournament opening victory.

FIBA: Time flies. It seems like we were just watching you run up and down the floor in the Poliedro in Venezuela at the OQT. How tough was that game against Tunisia?
Dagunduro: Caracas seems like years ago. We didn't really get a chance to scrimmage top level opponents after the game against the Dominican Republic, but we squeezed a win out today, so we're grateful for that. A little sloppiness in the second half and giving up the huge lead, but a win is a win.

FIBA: What happened at half-time? You guys were up 16 and they came back.
Dagunduro: Coach made a nice half-time speech, saying we still have to apply the pressure. I think it’s the players’ mentality to let up a little when you’re up 16, but that should never happen. We have to have a killer instinct when you have a big lead because it may come down to a tie-breaker and points spread play a part, so we’ve got to be more mature.

FIBA: Tunisia showed why they are the champions of Africa with their comeback.
Dagunduro: Tunisia are a great opponent. It goes to show you that basketball has picked up tremendously the last few years in Africa. It’s good to see two African teams in the Olympics, but we’re glad that we got the win.

FIBA: What was it like playing in an Olympic game for the first time?
Dagunduro: It was unbelievable. I can officially say that I’m an Olympian. I waited until the first game to step onto the court to say that I’m am Olympian. Now that it’s happened, it’s official and I’m grateful.

FIBA: What was the Opening Ceremony like on Friday night?
Dagunduro: Non-stop chills, from when we started the walk until the finish. I just had chills all over my body. I just couldn’t believe it.

FIBA: How difficult was the 9am start for the game against Tunisia?
Dagunduro: I was concerned. We all were concerned. I wasn’t sure what to eat. I talked to several people about what I should eat because it was the first time that I’ve played at 9am. We came out strong, though. But I think it showed in the second half we were a little fatigued. Hopefully we can have some later starts to come.

FIBA: What time did you actually wake up today?
Dagunduro: “I woke up at 6. Normally, I wake up around 7:30, 7:45, 8:00 – maybe later if I have no obligations. But, waking up at 6 is a little tough. I’m still adjusting to the time zone, so it’s tough getting to sleep. But our coaches did a good job of setting the mandatory time of being in house at 10 O’clock. We got to bed pretty early.

FIBA: What did you have for breakfast?
Dagunduro: I actually ate pretty heavy. I said, ‘I’m going with the normal.’ I didn’t want to switch up and feel weird out there on the court. I went with my normal eggs, chicken, a lot of fruit so it worked out.

FIBA: Do they have a huge selection of food that you can choose from in the Olympic Village?
Dagunduro: It’s a great variety. London’s done a great job providing us with various foods from all over the world. You’ve got the Asian section, the African section, the Caribbean section.

FIBA: Are you rubbing shoulders with a lot of different athletes in the Village or just keeping to yourself, trying to keep your focus on basketball?
Dagunduro: I try to mingle a bit. It’s a once in a lifetime experience so you want to meet as many people as you can. I have quite a few friends who play for other countries, especially the U.S., so I try to do my fair share of mingling with everybody.

FIBA: You survived a really hard game against Tunisia. How does this set you up in what is a really tough group?
Dagunduro: I think it sets us up nice. We’re settled in, now that we’ve got that win behind us. Now we need to move forward. I like our chances but we’ve got to stay focused. And if we get up, we need to maintain the lead. We can’t lose our composure.

FIBA: Tell us about your bursts down the lane in the fourth quarter when Tunisia were so close. You went hard to the basket, soaring over the defense and attacking.
Dagunduro: Our coach stressed that (Tunisia center) Salah Mejri had four fouls, so we knew we had to attack, but attack them the smart way – not just to get him to pick up the fifth foul but attack the basket. I was able to drive down the lane, get him to commit his fifth foul and that was huge for us.

FIBA: In the back of your mind, are you thinking you need to show yourself out there to raise eyebrows with clubs in Europe, or in the U.S.?
Dagunduro: There’s no greater platform than the Olympics, but I try not to have that in my mind. I try to stay focused. When you are pressing and know that bigger things are on the horizon, you start to lose yourself. I’m definitely trying not to do that. I’m trying to play my game and whatever happens, happens.
 
FIBA