The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced the preliminary squad for the senior Women’s National basketball team, D’Tigress, in preparation for the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket championship.
The preliminary squad consists of 20 players, predominantly Power Forwards, with a total of 8 who are also capable of playing as Centres, as the team gears up to defend their continental title in the picturesque city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
At the forefront of the power forwards is Nicole Enabosi, a 6-foot player representing Chartres Basket Féminin in France’s top division, where she has scored 442 points across all competitions.
Also included in the squad is 27-year-old power forward Pallas Daemi Kunaiyi-Akpannah, who competes in Italy with the Serie A team Faenza Basket Project.
Leading the list of forwards in the squad is Amy Okonkwo from Besiktas, who will collaborate with Adenike Olawuyi Olayemi, Abiodun Damilola Yusuf, and Solape Amusan.
Coach Rena Wakama has selected only two shooting guards, Elizabeth Balogun and Grace Efosa, for the provisional team.
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As D’Tigress aims to make a significant impact in Abidjan, they will rely on Lauren Ebo from Fighting Irish, the 2023 ACC regular season champion, who is also on the 2022-23 Lisa Leslie Award Watch List and the 2023 All-ACC Academic Team.
The team is set to commence preparations with three friendly matches against the less prominent Togo and the East African lightweight, Kenya.
The 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship will kick off on Friday, July 25th, and conclude on August 3rd. The provisional roster features the core group from the last Afrobasket tournament held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023, along with a blend of emerging talents.
Leading the squad are seasoned veterans Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, and there is also a place for the standout player and Besiktas star, Amy Okonkwo. Nicole Enabosi and Lauren Ebo have also been included, while Victoria Macaulay makes a long-awaited return to the national team setup.
In addition, Solape Amusan receives her second call-up, while Grace Efosa has been granted her first invitation by Wakama. Defensive mainstays Pallas Kunaiyi and Murjanatu Musa consistently appear on the list, alongside Elizabeth Balogun, Ifunaya Okoro, Olawuyi Adenike, Christabel Ezumah, Vera Ojenuwa, Izoje Uche, Gift Uchenna, Ugonne Onyiah, Blessing Ejiofor, and Abiodun Damilola Yusuf.
