Storyline: After an unexpected and heartbreaking loss to Senegal in 2013, Nigerian basketball fans are anticipating winning a title at Afrobasket 2015 and, then, participating in The Olympics. Written by Nairanotes, Orlando, FL.
Courtesy: wp.clicrbs.com.br
2013 was meant to be the year that Nigeria finally harnessed its large pool of eligible talent to waltz its way to an elusive African title.
A hard-earned 2012 Olympic qualification meant that some frontline Nigerian-American talent was now considering selecting the country as their national team. Long-term Nigeria captain, Ime Udoka, had just been hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, widely considered as the NBA’s best-run organisation. Together with Toronto Raptors GM, Masai Ujiri, Udoka was expected to help convince undecided players and offer other forms of assistance to the basketball federation.
Then it all went wrong and pretty quickly, too. National team coach, Ayo Bakare, fell out with Mfon Udoka (the long-term women’s captain, assistant women’s coach, and Ime’s sister) and that situation had a negative impact on his relationship with Ime. The rift was reportedly responsible for some curious withdrawals close to the tournament.
2013 Nigerian team (Photo: teamnigeriabasketball.com)
In addition to the withdrawal of key players (Derrick Obasohan), Chamberlain Oguchi was suspended by FIBA from participating in the tournament and could not be replaced on the team. Compounding Nigeria’s woes were injuries to guard Richard Oruche and forward Andy Ogide, both of which came early in the tournament. To make matters worse, valuable roster spots were taken by two players–a token home-based player and a captain who is past his prime–and neither could contribute valuable minutes against serious opposition. It meant Nigeria was effectively using a 7-player rotation (of 12 selected players) in the tournament.
Yet it seemed the zeal and talent of the ‘core seven’ would be enough to carry Nigeria to the title. The team overran all opposition until it met Senegal in the Quarterfinals. Nigeria’s superior talent helped the team build a double-digit, first quarter lead. Then the Senegalese coach pulled off a masterstroke by changing the defensive formation–to a zone from the conventional man-to-man–and that exposed Nigeria’s short bench and limited outside shooting. Senegal slowly chipped away at Nigeria’s large lead.
The eventual 1-point loss to Senegal remains fresh in the minds of all lovers of Nigerian basketball, especially the players who were denied an opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage. A silver lining is this: major stakeholders in Nigerian basketball seem to have used the disappointment of 2013 to fuel a determination to put the house in order in 2015. If Nigeria wins Afrobasket 2015 it will secure an automatic qualification to the 2016 Olympics.
William Voigt (Photo: newtelegraphonline.com)
A major step in that direction was the recent hiring of William Voigt–a basketball coaching thoroughbred–as national team coach. Voigt started his career with an NBA team as a video coordinator. He then became a college head coach, a head coach in the NBDL, and had coaching stints in Norway and China. He has previously worked with Masai Ujuri and Ike Diogu (the leader and best player in the Nigerian team) and, with that, has insights about the Nigerian team. He probably realizes that success with Nigeria will open major doors for him (possibly the NBA). His contract stipulates that he has to win at Afrobasket to get a shot at coaching Nigeria in the Olympics.
Despite the absence of major eligible talent–including Rasheed Sulaimon, Victor Oladipo, and Festus Ezeli–Coach Voigt should be able to able to select a formidable team of twelve men from the shortlist of 26 players who have been invited for tryouts. The team had a short camp in Abuja before heading out to France, where it has won two preparatory games.
Nigerian basketball fans are once again excited and expectant. Everything seems to be coming together for the Afrobasket title and–if it wins–a good run in the Olympics. Surely, nothing can go wrong now … we hope!
ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT: Afrobasket 2015 will be held in Tunisia from August 20-30. Nigeria has been grouped with Tunisia, Uganda, and Central African Republic in Group A. Games will be broadcast live in Nigeria on Supersport.
