Gabe Vincent says winning Olympic Gold for 400 million Nigerians is greater than winning an NBA Championship with the Lakers.
Nigerian-American professional basketball player Gabriel Nnamdi Vincent is back in the news.
Vincent recently joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a reported 29 billion naira deal during NBA free agency.
Gabe Vincent on Nigeria and NBA championship
Born to a Nigerian father Gabe Vincent of the LA Lakers is a national representative for the D’Tigers.
Nigeria's D'Tigers did not qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but the newest Lakers star places winning on the international competition greater than winning the NBA title.
Vincent gave an explanation of why he prefers winning the World Cup to receiving an NBA ring in a conversation with JJ Redick for the podcast The Old Man and the Three.
He said, "For me personally, I've been looking forward to raising that Larry O'Brien trophy.
"But knowing how much it would mean to the 400-plus million people in Nigeria, let along the 1-point something billion in the continent of Africa, that's a hard one to pass up. Especially in this sport where African teams really haven't had much of a footing.
"I think that'd be, not only would it be fulfilling, and great, in its own way, but I think legacy wise, I think it would stand taller, stand a little longer.
"So, I'm gonna reluctantly have to say the gold medal with Nigeria. I think that would just be epic."
Gabe Vincent and Nigeria
Vincent rose to stardom when the D'Tigers recorded a shock victory against the USA in a friendly ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
At the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where the D'Tigers finished 17th, Vincent played his first game for the team.
Despite not having much basketball success, Nigeria has qualified for the last three Olympic tournaments.
It is unclear if Vincent will now feature for the D'Tigers in the 2024 Pre-Olympic qualifiers in Lagos.
Related content
05:30 - 05.06.2023
NBA FINALS Nigeria's Gabe Vincent inspires Miami Heat to beat Denver Nuggets in Game 2
Gabe Vincent erupts in Game 2 as the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat is tied.
17:30 - 04.06.2023
Bam Adebayo charges Miami Heat to tie NBA Finals in Game 2 against Denver Nuggets
According to Bam Adebayo, if the Heat make shots in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets they go back to Miami tied.
19:00 - 03.06.2023
NBA FINALS Jimmy Butler confident the Heat will bounce back for Game 2 against Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets took Game 1 of the NBA Finals 104-93 against the Miami Heat but Jimmy Butler believes the Heat can bounce back.
13:30 - 02.06.2023
NBA FINALS Nigeria's Gabe Vincent vows Miami Heat will deal with Denver Nuggets physicality in Game 2
Gabe Vincent backs the Miami Heat to bounce back against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2.
08:00 - 02.06.2023
NBA FINALS Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler reveals areas for improvement after Game 1 loss to Nuggets
The Miami Heat lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the irrepressible Denver Nuggets 104-93 and Heat star Jimmy Butler has shared his thoughts on the game.
06:00 - 02.06.2023
NBA FINALS Nikola Jokic has monster triple-double as Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat to take Game 1
Nikola Jokic continues his monster season as the Denver Nuggets take Game 1 of the Finals against the Miami Heat.
20:30 - 12.06.2023
NBA FINALS Spoelstra backs Gabe Vincent and Miami Heat to beat Denver Nuggets in Game 5
By any means necessary, the Miami Heat need a win to keep their season alive with a win against the Denver Nuggets.
18:30 - 15.06.2023
NBA Nigeria's Gabe Vincent teases return to Miami Heat in free agency
According to Gabe Vincent, don't be shocked if he returns to the Miami Heat.
01:30 - 01.07.2023
NBA Gabe Vincent: Nigerian star joins Lakers on ₦29 billion contract
Gabe Vincent will continue his career with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on a contract worth ₦29 billion.