Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has come out with a bold affirmation of its continued determination and commitment towards maintaining a sustainable long-term development of the giants’ game all across the country.
READ ALSO: Calvin Bassey Says Super Eagles Showed Promise Despite Poland Draw
Sports247 reports that this reassurance was provided by the NBBF’s media department while unfolding details about its preparation schedule for Nigeria’s boys’ and girls’ national teams towards the 2026 FIBA Africa U18 Championships.
The comprehensive programme is outlined in a press release, which the media department pointed out reflects the NBBF’s commitment to identifying, developing, and preparing the next generation of Nigerian basketball talents.
The process will be from within the country and across the diaspora, to provide a clear pathway for elite youth athletes, while ensuring both national teams are fully prepared to compete at the highest level of African basketball.
The statement added, “According to the schedule approved by the Federation, the national team programme will commence with simultaneous local tryouts in Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6 and 7, 2026.
“The tryouts will provide young Nigerian players from across the country with an opportunity to showcase their talents and compete for selection into the national team program.
“Following the tryouts, the U18 boys’ national team will enter a local preparation camp from June 19 -July 2nd, 2026, ahead of the FIBA U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso from July 4-12, 2026.
“After the Zone 3 Qualifiers, selected local players from both the boys’ and girls’ programmes will participate in an intensive training camp from July 19 – 26, 2026, as preparations continue for the continental championship.
“The Nigeria Basketball Federation remains committed to building a sustainable future for basketball in Nigeria through grassroots development, elite competition pathways, and strategic engagement with Nigerian talent around the world.
“The Federation noted that the objectives of the programme include: expanding grassroots talent identification; providing opportunities for internationally based players; ensuring thorough preparation of both boys’ and girls’ national teams.
“(Other targets are) building team cohesion before the championship; Providing adequate preparation for Zone 3 Qualifiers and FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals and strengthening Nigeria’s long-term youth development and national team pipeline.”
