Nigeria’s women’s basketball team makes history despite defeat to the USA — Andscape
“Andscape at the Olympics” is an ongoing series exploring the black athletes and culture surrounding the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
PARIS – While Nigerian defender Ezinne Kalu smiled proudly and answered questions about the best African basketball team in Olympic history, U.S. defender Diana Taurasi made no effort to pat her on the shoulder and salute her as she passed her in the mixed zone.
“She’s a bad girl here. She never stops. She’s a bad girl,” said Taurasi, the Phoenix Mercury player who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games.
As Taurasi walked away, a stunned Kalu said, “That means a lot to me coming from the GOAT.”
Olympic history ended for Kalu and the history-making Nigerian women’s basketball team on Wednesday night after an 88-74 loss to the United States at Bercy Arena. But the statement Nigeria’s team, also known as D’Tigress, made at the Olympics was that African basketball is on the rise and these women are leading the way.
Nigeria made history by becoming the first African Olympic team (men and women) to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics. The D’Tigress (2-2) also achieved a record two wins by defeating Canada and Australia in the preliminary rounds. Nigeria was ranked 12th by FIBA before the Olympics and is now likely to secure a place in the top 8 in the world.
“I’m happy. We’ve achieved so much because we’re the only African country left in the tournament,” said Kalu, an American-born player whose father is Nigerian. “To be the best, you have to beat the best. Unfortunately, we didn’t win today. But I think people will remember who Nigeria was today.”
“This is a huge achievement. So many times people have looked away from Nigerian basketball, even women’s basketball in general. I’m pretty sure the eyes are on Africa now because we came to this tournament and showed the performance we showed. I’m just excited to see the development of the young boys and girls back home. And I’m excited to see what’s going to happen now.”
“It is a movement for Nigeria and Africa. We have so much talent. Everyone can see what we are capable of when we invest in ourselves, in Africa and in the sport,” said Rena Wakama, coach of the Nigerian basketball team.
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The star of the games for Nigeria was undoubtedly Kalu.
Kalu scored 16 points in 38 minutes against the United States on 6 of 11 field shots and four free throws. The former star guard from the traditionally black Savannah State scored 21 points against Canada. It was Nigeria’s first 20-plus point game since Mfon Udoka, the sister of Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, scored 26 and 28 points against Australia and Greece at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Kalu most recently played professionally for Landerneau Bretagne Basket in France. Perhaps the WNBA will now take notice.
“There are no limits. I will continue working,” Kalu said.
When asked by Andscape what words of wisdom she would give to a young Nigerian or African girl who wants to become a basketball star, Kalu said, “Keep dreaming. Keep going. Stay motivated. Stay committed. Whatever your dreams are, keep working every day to achieve them.”
“I am a living example. I have had so many injuries, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, shoulder, wrist. Anything is possible. Just keep living and don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams aren’t worth fighting for.”
The D’Tigress’ Olympic success inspired Nigerians as well as other basketball programs and players on the continent.
“There is so much talent and potential in Africa,” said Lindsey Harding, coach of the South Sudan women’s team and assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. “Nigeria has been good for a long time and it’s so inspiring to see them in the quarterfinals at the Olympics. I believe representation is important and when young girls and boys see someone doing something they want to do and coming from their home country, that can be the motivation they need to do something great.”
The South Sudan men’s basketball team also made history by winning a game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. South Sudan men’s basketball coach Royal Ivey believes Africa has made a mark on the basketball court.
“African basketball is on the rise. They have awakened a sleeping giant. Stay tuned to find out what happens next,” Ivey told Andscape.
USA Basketball guard Jewell Loyd told Andscape before the quarterfinal match that she had a lot of respect for Nigeria and knew they would be tough to beat with their suffocating defense and relentless play. Nigeria trailed the United States by just 13 points in the fourth quarter. The U.S. has now won 59 games in a row. Loyd was on the U.S. team that beat Nigeria by just nine points (81-72) at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“The fighting spirit was there when they came out. You never want to start slow. So we made sure we got off to a good start. From then on, we never looked back,” Loyd said.
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Loyd is certainly familiar with the situation of women’s basketball in Africa.
The Seattle Storm star shared words of wisdom and basketball advice with 23 young women who attended a BAL 4HeR workshop at NBA Africa headquarters in Johannesburg on March 8. Loyd was in town representing the WNBA during Basketball Africa League games in Pretoria, South Africa. She also attended a girls’ basketball seminar.
Girls play in the NBA Academy Africa, but there are no plans by the NBA to create a BAL for women. The young Nigerian women’s national team has been training in Germany, not Nigeria. Perhaps this victory by Nigeria will bring about change for basketball on the continent.
“For people trying to get involved in African basketball, in Nigeria and everywhere else, the growth of the country itself is on the rise,” Loyd told Andscape. “Basketball is on the rise. If anyone has seen what they’ve done and isn’t inspired, they should do that. It’s not easy to do what they can do. The talent and growth is getting better.”
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team shocked the world by defeating USA Basketball in a friendly match ahead of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021. South Sudan’s men’s basketball team defeated Puerto Rico at the 2024 Games, losing to the USA by just one point in a friendly match. And now the spotlight is on Nigeria’s women.
Kalu is optimistic about the development of basketball in Nigeria and across Africa, but much more help is needed in terms of funding, infrastructure and development.
“It just shows that the development is there,” Kalu said. “There are coaches who are putting in the time and effort to get the younger generation to where we are now. It just shows the growth of the team. And if we put our resources where they need to go, use the money to fund ambitious young players and hard-working girls, I’m pretty sure basketball in Africa will continue to grow.”
“We just need more time. And these young players just need more time to play at this level. We need to continue to invest in youth. We need to continue to invest in the development of basketball, not just in America, not just in Europe, but also in Africa,” Wakama said.
