The Nigerian national team The Tigers entered into camp in Houston, USA by the weekend as planned. The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Mr. Tijani Umar confirmed the schedule in talk with FIBA Africa reporter.
“Yes, its okay in Houston; the players entered into camp on schedule. By the last count 20 players were already except for the two or so players who are expected to team up with their mates on Saturday. From every detail from Houston, everything is working out well,” Umar said.
Ime Udoka and Ike Diogu are expected to join the team on Saturday. Nigeria began the second phase of preparations to Libya 2009 Afrobasket just in time before they were drawn in Group A alongside the hosts Libya Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa. The Houston camp is specifically for the players based in the USA and other leagues across the world as the Nigerian based invitees concluded their camping last week. The few selected from that camp held in Kaduna are expected to join the USA camp. The Houston camp will take a break on July 1st to enable the players take part in the NBA Summer League. This first part of the camping is planned for 24 players based abroad and will take a cut to 14 players when the camp reopens. The final team is expected to fly into Nigeria on July 28th before the departure to Tripoli billed for August 2nd.
By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa