Rivers Hoopers captain and former D’Tigers player Victor Anthony Koko has questioned the limited number of home-based players included in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Angola.
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Koko believes the standard of the Nigeria Basketball League has improved significantly and deserves greater recognition at the national team level.
“Home-based players deserve more opportunities. The Nigerian Basketball League has produced enough quality players to justify greater representation in D’Tigers,” Koko said.
The experienced guard argued that selecting only one player from the domestic league does not accurately reflect the growth and competitiveness of Nigerian basketball.
According to him, rewarding outstanding performances in the local league would motivate players while strengthening the overall development of the sport.
“Giving more domestic players the chance to represent Nigeria will not only reward their hard work but also accelerate the growth of basketball in the country,” he added.
Koko maintained that exposure to international basketball would help local players improve their game and encourage higher standards across the Nigeria Basketball League.
D’Tigers will begin their FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers campaign against Tunisia on July 2, before taking on Guinea on July 3 and Rwanda on July 5, as they continue their quest for qualification to the global tournament.
