As the male National Basketball team continues to prepare for the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket Championship in Tunisia, it is expected that the players invited to the camp will be evaluated and assessed to determine the best 12 to represent the country.
The original 24 man list has now been reduced to just 16 players. Eight of the 14 home based players invited have been released to their various premier league teams. These players include Eli Abraham, Onyeka Okeke, Yakubu Sylvanus, Echoibi Victor, Joel Ejigba, David Godwin, Mojuba Oyeleye and Ibrahim Olajuwon
Since the camp opened in Lagos, 10 foreign based players including team Captain Ike Diogu and Washington Wizards`big man Daniel Ochefu have arrived in the country. Speaking on the team composition, Ike says, "Well, this is what we have to work with. Obviously, there are a few things out of our control especially with the Nigerian Basketball Federation. But we are happy to be here. All we can do is go out there and play to the best of our abilities. We have some good guys here so I`m excited to see what happens.
The team is expected to play a friendly game against a selected all star team later today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Surulere Lagos. Tip off time is 4pm. The final team list will be released tomorrow as the team is expected to depart for Tunis on Tuesday September 5.
The 16 players currently in camp are
1. Diogu Ike
2. Bryant Ikenna
3. Ike Nwamu
4. Daniel Ochefu
5. Akingbala Akinloku
6. Ikenna Iroegbu
7. O`karo Akamune
8. Anthony Odunsi
9. Deji Akindele
10. Kelechi Anuna
11. Musa Usman
12. Victor Anthony
13. Azuoma Dike
14. Timothy Mudiaga
15. Abdul Yahaya
16. Chukwudaalu Egbejiogwu
The 2017 FIBA Afrobasket tournament tips off on Friday 8 September in Tunis, Tunisia and Dakar, Senegal
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