Elonu confident Nigeria's 25-player preliminary squad for WOQT will be dynamic

ABUJA (2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Adaora Elonu can't wait for Nigeria's four-week training camp for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) to tip off on 15 May in the capital Abuja.

The 12-team WOQT will run from 13-19 June in Nantes, France, where Nigeria will try to secure one of the five tickets for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Head coach Scott Nnaji's 25-player preliminary squad includes all 12 members of the team that finished third at AfroBasket Women 2015. 

It is a group that blends home-based players, foreign-based professionals and college players.

Among the new faces are Ifunanya Ibekwe and Elem Ibiam - two players who can give Nigeria size and height.

Ibekwe, a 1.89m power forward, last played for Spar Citylift Girona in Spain's Liga Feminina, helping the team reach the Finals while Ibiam, a 1.94m center starred for the University of South Carolina. In her last college season, she scored in double figures eight times, including one 20-point game.

Elonu, who played a major role for Nigeria at last year's continental championship in Cameroon's capital of Yaounde, welcomed the new players.

"There are many players on the list that I recognise from previous camps and from playing alongside in the previous assignments, and the other attendees I'm sure will add an interesting and new dynamic to the camp and team," the 26-year-old told FIBA.com.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C along with Belarus and Korea. If the Western Africans can win at least one game in the group, and win two more in the Final Phase, they will secure a place in Rio Olympics.

"We need to have the mindset that we can and will be successful," Elonu insisted.

It will all start with the camp and preparation. Our focus and outlook leading up to Nantes [will be] vital. Belarus and Korea will be looking to do well against us as well, and we will match that. The team that the federation chooses to represent Nigeria should be ready to go by the time we start to compete. It will be an exciting and important journey for the team, and we will treat it as such.  -Elonu

Elonu (NGR) was named to the 2015 AfroBasket Women All-tournament team

"I can only hope that the team continues to build off of the AfroBasket tournament. This is a different opportunity and different teams, so I just want to play well alongside my teammates if I get the chance. From the list, the team will have girls that can bring a lot to the table, we just have to get on the court and show it," she added.

Nigeria 25-player preliminary squad for 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Nkem Akaraiwe, Nkechi Akashili, Promise Amukamara, Nyingifa Atonye, Upe Atosu, Juliet Chinyere, Edema Edeferioka, Joyce Ekworomadu, Adaora Elonu, Elem Ibiam, Ifunanya Ibekwe, Patience Idoko, Sarah Imovbioh, Christiana Isaac, Ezinne Kalu, Ndidi Madu, Ugochi Nwaigwe, Sarah Ogoke, Helen Ogunjimi, Ebere Okeke, Patience Okpe, Olayinka Sanni, Chioma Udeaja, Uju Ugoka and Gloria Umeh.

FIBA