Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has made history by becoming the first African team to break into the top 10 of the FIBA world rankings.
The groundbreaking achievement follows their stellar performance at the 2024 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia, where they advanced to the semifinals, a feat no African team had accomplished before.
The list released on Thursday by the world basketball governing body noted that the six-time AfroBasket champions rose four spots to become one of the top 10 teams globally.
The ranking makes D’Tigress the first African team to break into the top 10 of the FIBA world rankings.
The team’s historical rise in the world ranking was spurred by a brilliant performance at the Paris Olympics.
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D’Tigress defeated Australia in their first game to earn the team’s first victory at the Olympics in 20 years.
Although the team lost their second game to France, the ladies defeated Canada in their last group game to become the first African side to qualify for the quarter-final of the Olympic basketball event.
Nigeria eventually succumbed to the United States in the quarter-finals.
Rena Wakama, D’Tigress’ head coach, was also named the best coach of the women’s basketball event.
The US, the Olympic champions, retain the top spot in the global ranking, followed by Australia and France.
With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the horizon and the 2025 AfroBasket Championship approaching, the team is determined to build on their success and continue to make history.
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