NBBF invites 17 players for FIBA U19 World Champs,

Nigeria’s junior basketball team, were drawn in a tough group comprising defending champions, Australia, Turkey and Canada, who they play first in the event, which the country is bidding to surpass its eleventh place finishing in previous outing.

Aware that his team faces a stern and fierce test in its bid to advance beyond the preliminary stage, Dauda, said recently that eighteen home-based players would hit the National Stadium Lagos camp on May 27, where they are expected to horn their skills for the next ten days.

“We expect all the players to arrive camp on May 27, so that we can start preparations, which would last for 10 days. The players have been informed and they are excited that they have been given the chance to make a case for their inclusion in the final team, that we expect to take to Serbia for the World Championships”, said Dauda.

Among the players invited to camp are Daniel Daudu of Dodan Warriors, Ayodele Seyi Ahmed of Dodan Warriors, Ibrahim Adamu of Kano Pillars, Abel Baraya of Ebun Comets, Nosa Omotogbe of Rocks Abuja, George Ehiagwina of Ebun Comets, Ayodele Michael Seyi of Dodan Warriors, Farouk Oyalade of Niger Potters, Michael Ohiero of Kennys' Bullets and Mohammed Bukar of Dodan Warriors.

Others on the list include Ngusha Agutse of Plateau Peaks, Deji Egbeyemi of Comets, Abdularzeez Oladimeji of Lagos Islanders, Abdulrahman Rufai of AHIP Kano and Mbah Ifeanyi of Charlots.

Coach Dauda informed that at the end of the open camp that a close camp would begin immediately, revealing that four foreign-based players have been pencilled down for invitation for the final round of preparations for the World Champs.

They includes Joseph Katuka, Emmanuel Negedu, Solomon Alabi and Frank Ben-Eze all based in the United States of America.

Dauda is to be assisted by the trio of Masai Ujiri of Denver Nuggets, Emmanuel Okolo of University of Lagos and Emmanuel Odah of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Meanwhile captain of the victorious national under 18 team in last year FIBA Africa U18 Championship held in Durban, South Africa, Orseer Ikyaator of Ebun Comets basketball club have been drafted to the senior national team, D'Tigers preparing for both the 9th All Africa Games billed for Algiers, Algeria and the 24th FIBA Africa Championship - The Cup of Nations holding in Angola in August this year.

Courtesy: Fiba Africa.com