THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has invited 27 male basketball players to camp ahead of the country's participation in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in the summer.
The list, made up of both local and foreign stars have regulars like Ikechukwu Diogu, Olumide Oyedeji, Al-farouq Aminu, Chamberlain Oguchi as well as unfamiliar faces like Polish Basketball League's Czarni Slupsk's star Campbell Folarin and Westchester Knicks' forward Antetokounmpo Thanasis.
Others who made the list are: Jamal Olasewere, Michael Umeh, Benjamin Uzor, Michael Gbinije, Olaseni Abdul-Jelili Lawal, Abdul Wahab Aminu, Andy Ogide, Stanley Okoye, Ezeli Festus, Ofoegbu Ike and Braimoh Suleiman.
Also, Ibekwe Ekene, Obasohan Derrick, Gumut Stanley, Usman Abubakar, Nwaelele Daniel, Akognon Josh, Udofia Mfon, Ere Ebi, Mbakwe Trevor and Udoh Ekpe made the list.
Nigeria is drawn in Group B of the Men's Basketball event of the 2016 Olympic Games alongside Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Lithuania and a team from the qualifying round.
Speaking on the country's preparation for the Games at a Press Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, President of the NBBF, Umar Tijjani said the players will fight for inclusion into the final list, insisting that only those who are able to convince the technical crew will make the final list.
He also hinted that there were possibilities of adding more names as soon as the federation receive confirmation from the players involved.
"The 28th name suppose to be Victor Oladipo but he has not yet decided and we don't want to put his name out before his decision. He has been in training camp with the US national team and he has not made the team. So, sometimes decisions can be very tough when it comes to that," Umar noted.
While rolling out the team's training schedule, the NBBF President said the team will open camp in either Los Angeles or Bakersfield on June 27th before flying to China on July 1 to participate in the Stankovic Cup between 5th and 10th of July.
He also said possible friendly matches have been arranged with the Australian, Argentine, Brazilian, Chinese and the US national teams before flying to Brazil on August 2 to compete in the Olympics.
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