Tag: Basketball

Olympic organisers might have played the wrong national anthem before South Sudan’s opening basketball game at the Paris Games, but the star-studded US team know for certain what they are up against next.

America’s men have never lost to an African side at the Olympics but they had a scare when they played South Sudan in a warm-up game in London on July 20.

US-born JT Thor, who plays for Charlotte in the NBA, hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds left to put South Sudan ahead, only for LeBron James to snatch a 101-100 win.

Wenyen Gabriel, a centre who was born in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and played eight seasons in the NBA – including a stint as a team-mate of James with the Los Angeles Lakers – said South Sudan could take positives from their defeat.

“A lot of people doubted us, and going toe-to-toe with the US, it brought our team together, it brought our country together,” he said.

South Sudan won their first-ever Olympic basketball match 90-79 against Puerto Rico on Sunday while four-time defending champions the United States crushed Serbia 110-84.

New York-born coach Royal Ivey warned they would be facing a different United States on Wednesday.

“That was a friendly,” Ivey said, referring to the London contest. “They’re gonna be ready for us.”

“This is a movie,” he added. “This is so surreal. I couldn’t experience anything better than this.”

Ivey played 11 seasons in the NBA and was a teammate of American forward Kevin Durant at Oklahoma City.

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“That’s definitely my little brother. I’ve known Kevin since he was 18 years old,” said Ivey.

After the Bright Stars beat Angola to qualify for Paris, Luol Deng, the former NBA star who is president of South Sudan’s basketball federation, told American broadcaster NBC that if there was an indoor court in the country he was not aware of it.

“It’s a new beginning for all of us,” said small forward Bul Kuol, who fled Sudan aged nine, spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya and plays professionally in Australia.“The next generation now has a platform to grow on. And this is it right here.”

“No matter what tribe you’re from or what you’re facing – adversity, the war, or whatever – I think this has united us. It’s like every single tribe, every single town.”

He said the team’s approach was simple.

“We gotta win, we gotta win.”

South Sudan became an independent nation after it broke free from Sudan in 2011 but has lurched from crisis to crisis, enduring persistent armed violence, extreme hunger and natural disasters.

“It’s been a tough journey for me personally and for every single one of us. We all got a big story,” said forward Majok Deng, a refugee at the age of eight.

“Right now is the happiest time in our country since we got independence.

“It hasn’t always been a positive narrative coming out of our country. We’re a new country, we’re a new team, and just to paint this new narrative.”

He said South Sudan relished the support they received from the largely French crowd during their opener.

“Wherever we go, they were cheering for us, and they show up tonight (Sunday) again at the game. We appreciate every single fan in the world that is rooting for us.”

With an array of newly recruited international stars, Rivers Hoopers look to write history by being the first Nigerian side to reach the playoffs of the Basketball Africa League, OLUWAMAYOMIKUN OREKOYA reports.

As Rivers Hoopers begin their quest for a playoffs spot of the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rwanda, their international stars are confident the team would achieve their set objectives

Five-time Nigerian Basketball League Champions, Rivers Hoopers, have been drawn in a tough Sahara Conference of the BAL, which features former BAL Champions US Monastir (Tunisia), BAL 2023 runners-up AS Douanes (Senegal), and Rwandan Champions APR.

Hoopers will star in a tough Sahara Conference phase in Dakar, Senegal, tipping off tomorrow with a crunch tie against 2023 runners-up and host AS Douanes before facing Rwandan champions APR and former champions US Monastir.

Rivers Hoopers forward Devine Eke has revealed that he has his sights set on putting Nigerian basketball back on the map by helping the team do well at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

However, Eke, who was one of the final additions to the Hoopers’ squad in preparation for the BAL 2024, thinks the KingsMen have what it takes to make progress at the tournament, as the team remains united in their desire for victory.

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“I honestly think, looking at the little that I’ve seen in the past few days, we can go pretty far because everyone here has the same goal. We’re all trying to win; nobody is selfish here, and we’re all together. So, I feel we can go really far. I understand that this is a tough conference that we’re going into, and I’m very excited to see how we play,” he said.

The 27-year-old, who made his national team debut with the Nigeria senior men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, at the 2025 Afrobasket qualifiers in Tunisia in February, where he averaged 22 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5 assists in 3 games, also reiterated his desire to win at the BAL and, in the process, put Nigerian basketball back on the map.

“I want to win. I want to win the championship. I want to go to Rwanda, and I want to do big things. Like I said before, putting Nigerian basketball back where it’s supposed to be is the big thing I want to do,” he stated.

The former Zunder Palencia (Spain) forward, who also played for Acadêmica Efapel (Portugal), Zeeuw & Zeeuw Feyenoord (The Netherlands), and OKK Sloboda Tuzla (Bosnia), is excited to play in his first BAL tournament and believes that Rivers Hoopers will have a good outing at BAL season 4 if the team continues to do the right things.

“This is just another step in the right direction to put Nigerian basketball back where it’s supposed to be. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to win; we’re all here for one goal, and if we continue to practice the right way, I think everything will be good,” he submitted.

Meanwhile,  French-American centre, John Walter Wilkins admitted that the level of competition in Dakar has improved yet  the 34-year-old has backed his team to surprise naysayers in the tournament.

Wilkins, son of former NBA player Jeff Wilkins, is no stranger to African basketball, having played for Moroccan sides AS Sale (2015-2016) and Ittihad Tangier (2017-2019), before leading Stade Malien to a third-place finish at BAL 2023.

 “It’s a really high level, a great competition; [it’s] one of the best I have played in since I have been in Africa. But we don’t need to be scared. We need to just attack the moment, be there, be present, and I think if we are confident in our abilities, we can surprise people,” he said.

Nigerian teams have appeared twice at the BAL since its maiden edition in 2021, with Rivers Hoopers playing in the inaugural edition and Kwara Falcons featuring at BAL 2023. However both teams have failed to reach the playoff on both occasions.

Yet, Wilkins believes this time around,  the quality of players recruited ahead of the tournament will make the team more competitive in Dakar.

 “I’m really optimistic. I know that those past years the teams from Nigeria didn’t do well, but I think with me, Kelvin [Amayo], Will [Perry], and the other guys, I think we can show the way, have some wins, and be more competitive,” he said.

For Hoopers point guard, Will Perry, helping the King’s men become the first Nigerian side to reach the BAL Playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda is his main target for coming to Nigeria.

The North Carolina native is a veteran in BAL, having stints with Mozambican team Ferroviário da Beira Rwanda Patriots and Titans. However it was at Titans, also in Rwanda, he became the joint record holder for most points scored (41) in a single game at the tournament.

 “We will try to take the Rivers Hoopers to the playoffs in Rwanda, and then anything can happen from there, but that is the first goal, because obviously Nigeria hasn’t had that kind of success [in the BAL], so I see it as a challenge [for us] to change the culture of Nigeria Basketball in the BAL.”

The 29-year-old added that the winning mentality and leadership qualities he brings with him would help the team improve.

 “It’s true I have the (joint record for most points in a BAL game, but I like to play a pure point guard style, get the guys involved, and make everybody better. I think I am a winning player. I am here to help the team win, so I am bringing leadership, and a winning attitude,” he said.

As the anticipation builds up for the upcoming Wheelchair Basketball Athletic Conference Finals, scheduled to take place from April 30th to May 4th, 2024, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, wheelchair basketball enthusiasts across Nigeria are gearing up for an action-packed tournament.

The Atlantic Conference teams, including Delta State, Oyo State, Imo State, Lagos State, and Ogun State, are all set to battle it out on the court for the coveted championship title. 

With months of preparation and rigorous training, the athletes are ready to showcase their skills, determination, and sportsmanship in what promises to be an exciting and competitive event.

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Seyi Johnson, the President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, emphazising the importance of providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in high-level sporting competitions. 

He  highlighted the significance of promoting wheelchair basketball in Nigeria and creating a platform for these exceptional athletes to shine.

He said: “The Atlantic Conference is going to be one of the toughest wheelchair basketball leagues because the best teams in the country will be storming Asaba for the encounter.

 “Wheelchair Basketball is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in Nigeria and every special athlete wants to play the game. The target of the Federation is to play at the highest level which is the World Championship and I believe it is going to become a reality.

 “I am appealing to sports philanthropists in the various states to support their teams in participating at the league in order to have a successful Atlantic Conference.”

In a significant announcement that marks the beginning of competitive basketball action across West Africa, the West African Basketball Classic (WABC) was yesterday  unveiled .

The WABC, spearheaded by an independent group from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo is committed to advancing club basketball in the region under the FIBA Africa Zone 3 umbrella.

Revealing the exciting details about its inaugural edition, the WABC President, Olumide Oyedeji, announced the selection of six teams to partake in this ground-breaking project, marking the formation of the WABC. The participating clubs include Gidi Giants and Kwara Falcons from Nigeria, ASPAC and ELAN Coton from Benin Republic, Customs from Ghana and Swallows from Togo.

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The initial phase will hold in Togo between  February 24  and March 2 while the second phase will happen in Benin Republic in April. The highly anticipated Final Four is slated  between June 8 and June 12 in Ghana, leading up to the grand finale set to unfold in Abuja.

The competition format will feature round-robin games during the group stages, intensifying the thrill and competition among the participating teams.

Notably, a championship trophy and medals await the top-performing team, first runner-up, and second runner-up as the winner will embark on a playing tour of China sponsored by Peak.

Having a college degree can offer several benefits for athletes both during and after their sporting careers. We have seen many examples of sportsmen become destitute after their stints with sports ended because they disregarded the importance of what education offers outside sports.

But Tobi Oladitan is an aspiring Nigerian-American basketballer who aspires to excel on and off the court.

The 18-year-old point-guard is currently pursuing business administration and sports management courses at the hallowed halls of St. Vincent Pallotti High School, achieving successes both academically and athletically.

His aspiration is to fuse his passion for basketball with a solid foundation in business administration and has his sights set on a career that transcends the game, with sports management on his mind.

However, Tobi’s immediate goal is to get a scholarship to play college basketball while having dreams of being drafted into the NBA or playing in any of  the big leagues abroad.

He said: “My short-term goal in playing basketball is to secure a spot on a college team, ideally Division 1, and earn a scholarship.

“Looking ahead, my long-term aspirations include becoming a professional basketball player, envisioning a career in the NBA or overseas leagues.

“This journey is not just about the game; it’s a pursuit of personal and professional excellence in the realm I am most passionate about.”

For Tobi, a standout student with a remarkable 4.5 GPA, the need to channel his energy positively served as a motivation for playing basketball.

“Basketball, for me, began as more than a sport; it was an avenue for personal growth and resilience. Motivated by a desire to channel my energy positively, I discovered in basketball not just a game, but a medium for cultivating discipline, teamwork, and determination,” he noted.

“The court became my sanctuary, where the rhythm of dribbles mirrored life’s challenges, teaching me invaluable lessons that extends beyond the boundaries of the game.”

Tobi  remains focused and determined as the search for the perfect college that would cater for his academic and athletic pursuits continues and advised young basketballers starting out to believe in their potential to achieve greatness.

“My story is not just about a student-athlete seeking a college program; my story is a testament to the transformative power of education, the pursuit of excellence, and the dreams that drive young individuals to reach new heights” Tobi stated.

He added:  “To younger players starting in basketball, my advice is to block out external distractions, persevere through challenges, and trust in God to guide their journey.

“Stay focused on the love for the game, maintain a resilient spirit, and believe in the potential to achieve dreams with dedication and unwavering faith.”

Tobi, who has been playing basketball since he was two-years-old, revealed that his love for basketball and the level of competition in the game are part of the reasons he adores the sport.

“What I cherish most about playing basketball is the level of competition and the sheer love for the game. Every match is a test of skill and strategy, fuelling my competitive spirit.

“Simultaneously, the pure joy derived from the game’s dynamics fuels my passion. Beyond the court, basketball serves as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, making me not only a better player but also a stronger, more resilient individual.

“The combination of competition and love transforms each game into a journey of self-improvement and an enduring source of fulfillment,” he noted as he fielded  questions  on African Outlook.

Between  basketball and personal development

Basketball, for me, began as more than a sport; it was an avenue for personal growth and resilience. Motivated by a desire to channel my energy positively, I discovered in basketball not just a game, but a medium for cultivating discipline, teamwork, and determination. The court became my sanctuary, where the rhythm of dribbles mirrored life’s challenges, teaching me invaluable lessons that extend beyond the boundaries of the game. What I cherish most about playing basketball is the level of competition and the sheer love for the game. Every match is a test of skill and strategy, fueling my competitive spirit. Simultaneously, the pure joy derived from the game’s dynamics fuels my passion. Beyond the court, basketball serves as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, making me not only a better player but also a stronger, more resilient individual. The combination of competition and love transforms each game into a journey of self-improvement and an enduring source of fulfillment.

Short- and long-term goals

My short-term goal in playing basketball is to secure a spot on a college team, ideally Division 1, and earn a scholarship. Looking ahead, my long-term aspirations include becoming a professional basketball player, envisioning a career in the NBA or overseas leagues. This journey is not just about the game; it’s a pursuit of personal and professional excellence in the realm I am most passionate about.

Unique  qualities  as a basketballer

My strengths as a basketball player lie in a versatile skill set. I excel in defensive play, precision shooting, adept dribbling, and strategic passing. These skills contribute to a well-rounded game, enabling me to adapt to diverse situations and contribute effectively on both ends of the court. I aim to enhance my consistency in finishing plays and to further strengthen my physique in the weight room. Focusing on these areas will not only refine my on-court performance but also contribute to overall athletic development and resilience.

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Managing  stress and pressure

I handle stress and pressure in basketball by shifting my focus to the progress I’ve made, entrust challenges to God, and seek advice from family and coaches. Drawing on the support network and trusting the preparation helps alleviate stress, allowing the hard work invested to counteract the pressure, fostering resilience on the court. In challenging basketball situations, I maintain composure by calming myself, seeking guidance from parents and coaches. My strong faith guides me, allowing me to surrender control to God. This combination empowers me to navigate difficulties with a clear mind and resilient spirit on the court.

From  practice to perfection

Outside of team practices, I diligently improve my skills with dedicated basketball trainers doing shooting drills, ball-handling exercises, and defensive footwork. Additionally, I engage in strength and conditioning training to enhance overall athleticism. These structured practices, complemented by individualized drills and exercises or my solo practice sessions, all ensure a comprehensive approach to skill development and contribute to my continual improvement as a basketball player. I stay motivated during challenging games or practices by recognizing they are temporary and offer valuable learning experiences. Embracing the opportunity to learn from adversity fuels my perseverance and helps maintain a positive mindset, contributing to my growth as a basketball player.

Counsel for budding basketballers

To younger players starting in basketball, my advice is to block out external distractions, persevere through challenges, and trust in God to guide their journey. Stay focused on the love for the game, maintain a resilient spirit, and believe in the potential to achieve dreams with dedication and unwavering faith.