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NBA stars missing as 18 home-based players and 2 free agents called for D'Tigers FIBA qualifiers
Coach Ogoh Odaudu has called up 20 players for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Oduadu called up 18 home-based players and two free agents from the United States of America (USA) to the Nigeria senior men's basketball team known as D'Tigers.
The team is set for three games that will determine if they qualify for the 2023 FIFA World Cup later this year.
Oduadu will have to get much-needed wins without the service of Nigeria's top basketball talent in the NBA.
20 D'Tigers called up
Ahead of the new window of games, Odaudu called up players from the Nigerian Premier Basketball league.
Five of the players called up are from Gombe Bulls, four each from Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons two from Nigeria Customs, and one each from Kano Pillars and Benue Braves.
The home-based players along with the two free agents from the USA will have to get positive results if D'Tigers are to qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
After seven games played in group E, Nigeria's D'Tigers are fifth in the standings.
They are four points behind group leaders Ivory Coast with three games left to play.
The players are expected to turn up to camp on Sunday, February 12 in Abuja to begin preparation for the qualifiers.
Odaudu is still optimistic about the chances of D'Tigers qualifying for the 2023 FIBA World Cup despite missing superstars such as Josh Okogie of the Phoenix Suns, Chimezie Metu of the Sacramento Kings, and Jordan Nwora of the Indiana Pacers,
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In a recent interview with Brila he said, "Well, it is within touching distance but first of all we have to go get our job done by winning all three games and hope other results go in our favor."
This series of qualification games will hold in Luanda Angola, from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, 26, 2023.
D'Tigers take on Ivory Coast on February 24, the n Guinea on February 25 and wrap up the qualification campaign against Angola on February 26.
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