Nigeria call up 28 players for training ahead of Women's World Cup 2018
LAGOS (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - The Nigerian Basketball Federation on Friday announced a 28-player preliminary squad for this year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
LAGOS (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - The Nigerian Basketball Federation on Friday announced a 28-player preliminary squad for this year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
While head coach Sam Vincent kept ten players who helped Nigeria win the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017, the former NBA coach called up a number of talented players currently playing in the US College ranks as well some European leagues.
The Nigeria preliminary squad is headlined by Dallas Wings small forward Evelyn Akhator and Ify Ibekwe - a power forward for the New York Liberty in the WNBA.
| Nigeria 28-player preliminary squad for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Nkechi Akashili | Evelyn Akhator | Adaeze Alaeze | Juliet Alaeze |
| Promise Amukamara | Ijeoma Ajemba | Upe Atosu | Felicia Aiyeotan |
| Elizabeth Balogun | Edeferioka Elo | Adaora Elonu | Nicole Enabosi |
| Ashley Ezeh | Ify Ibekwe | Elem Ibiam | Sarah Imovbioh |
| Ezinne Kalu-Phelps | Aisha Mohamed | Patience Okpe Nene | Akaraiwe Nkem |
| Jasmine Nwajei | Ugochi Nicole Nwaigwe | Atonye Nyingifa | Sarah Ogoke |
| Amy Okonkwo | Cecilia Okoye | Ayoleka Sodade | Uju Ugoka |
Making their first World Cup appearance since 2006, Nigeria will take on Group B opponents Australia, Turkey, and Argentina.
According to the Nigeria Basketball Federation, the invited players are to report to camp on Wednesday, July 18, in Atlanta, Georgia for the team’s preparation.
After the first phase of training on the USA soil, the D'Tigresses will return to Nigeria for the final phase of training camp before jetting out to Turkey for the remainder of their World Cup preparations.
The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 will take in Tenerife, Spain, from September 22-30.
FIBA