The Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF) has named the Preliminary squad for the senior Women’s National basketball team, D’Tigress for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket championship.
The 20-woman preliminary squad is dominated by Power Forwards, 8 in number, who can also play as Centers as the team begins preparations to defend their continental title, in the beautiful city of Abidjan in Cote D’Ivoire.
Leading the roster of power forwards is Nicole Enabosi, a 6ft who plays for Chartres Basket Feminin in French’s first division, slamming 442 points for the club in all competitions.
Joining her on the list is, 27 years old power forward, Pallas Daemi Kunaiyi-Akpannah, who plies her trade in Italy with Seria A side Faenza Basket Project.
Besiktas Amy Okonkwo topped the list of forwards in the squad, she will be working alongside Adenike Olawuyi Olayemi, Abiodun Damilola Yusuf and Solape Amusan.
Coach Rena Wakama named only two shooting guard in Elizabeth Balogun and Grace Efosa in the provisional team.
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D’Tigress who seek to growl in Abidjan will be counting on Lauren Ebo of Fighting Irish, the 2023 ACC regular season champion, 2022-23 Lisa Leslie Award Watch List and the
2023 All-ACC Academic Team.
The team will begin preparations with three nation friendlies against less fancy Togo and East African lightweight Kenya.
The 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship dunks off on Friday the 25th of July and end August 3rd.
THE PRELIMINARY SQUAD:
POINT GUARD:
★ Precious Amukamara
★ Ezinne Kalu
★ Ifunaya Okoro
SHOOTING GUARD
★ Elizabeth Balogun
★ Grace Efosa
FORWARDS:
★ Solape Amusan
★ Abiodun Damilola Yusuf
★ Adenike Olawuyi Olayemi
★ Amy Okonkwo
POWER FORWARD
★ Nicole Enabosi
★ Pallas Kunayi
★ Murjanatu Musa
★ Gift Uchenna
★ Victoria Macaulay
★ Christabel Ezumah
★ Izoje Uche
CENTERS:
★ Lauren Ebo
★ Ugonne Onyiah
★ Vera Ojenuwa
★ Blessing Ejiofor