The 11 home-based players invited for the next phase of D’Tigers’ 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers will begin training in Abuja on Monday (today), while their foreign-based teammates are set to join them later, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced.

On Sunday, the NBBF released a preliminary 24-man roster for the third phase of the qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17-24.

According to the federation, preparations will be divided into two phases. The home-based players are expected to arrive at Bentley Hotel, Abuja, on Monday, February 10, for the first phase, which will run until February 16. The foreign-based players will then join the selected home-based players in Tripoli, Libya, on February 17 for the final phase of camp and the competition.

D’Tigers will once again be led by head coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, who also guided the team during the first window of qualifiers. He will be assisted by former Nigerian international Deji Akindele and Isikaku Smart, an assistant coach with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.

The top three teams in this round will secure a spot in the 2025 tournament in Angola.

The preliminary squad includes:

  • Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain)
  • Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
  • Sulaimon Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
  • Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia)
  • Rayyan AR Salis (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
  • Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Team Captain
  • Patrick Abah (Royal Hoopers, Nigeria)
  • Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia)
  • Abel Offia (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
  • Ugochukwu Simon (Virtus Ragusa, Italy)
  • Wisdom Anyaoha (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
  • Kareem Joseph (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
  • Martins Igbanu (Niigata Albirex BB, Japan)
  • Ifeanyi Koko (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
  • Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria)
  • Abdul Malik Abu (Arriva P. Cukier, Poland)
  • Christian Mekowulu (Akita Northern Happinets, Japan)
  • Talib Zanna (KK Cibona, Croatia)
  • Bassey Effiong (Spinet Knight, Ghana)
  • Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Pallacanestro Varese, Italy)
  • Vincent Buchi (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
  • Jason Jitoboh (Vellaznimi, Kosovo)
  • John Egbunu (Breogan, Spain)
  • Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)