Nigeria men’s national basketball team assistant coach David Lawrence Vanterpool has insisted D’Tigers still have plenty of room for improvement despite their impressive victory over Rwanda in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
The former NBA assistant coach identified ball control and team chemistry as the two biggest areas Nigeria must address before the next qualification window, warning that the team cannot afford to become complacent after a convincing display.
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D’Tigers wrapped up the July qualification window in style with a dominant win over Rwanda in Luanda, Angola, having also secured victories over Tunisia and Guinea to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup under new head coach David Fizdale.
“We have to take better care of the basketball. Reducing our turnovers and building stronger chemistry within the team are areas we must continue to improve,” Vanterpool said.
The American coach, who previously served on the coaching staffs of the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, praised the players for sticking to the tactical plan despite having limited time together.
He singled out Nigeria’s defensive performance against Rwanda, particularly the team’s success in restricting their opponents’ three-point shooting while maintaining composure during crucial moments of the game.
“The players executed the game plan very well. Defensively, we limited Rwanda’s three-point shooting and stayed composed throughout the contest, which was very important,” he added.
Vanterpool also stressed the need for more training camps before the next qualification window, explaining that additional time together would help improve both the offensive and defensive chemistry of a squad made up of players arriving from clubs across Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.
With three consecutive victories restoring confidence within the camp, D’Tigers have revived their World Cup qualification campaign and moved back into contention for a place at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. However, Vanterpool believes continued improvement will be essential if Nigeria is to re-establish itself among Africa’s basketball elite and secure qualification for the global showpiece.
