Ezinne Kalu makes Olympic basketball history for D’Tigress

D’Tigress’ Ezinne Kalu was, no doubt, the class act that carried the Nigerian Ladies to their memorable 75-62 success over the Opals of Australia in their opening group game of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday morning.

The playmaker has not represented her country since Tokyo 2020 was on fire with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

The 32 year has thus become the first Nigerian player to register a 15/5/5 game in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament; she made four 3-pointers, the most for a player with Nigeria in the competition.

She also helped Nigeria made nine 3-pointers today, more than in any of their previous nine games at the Olympics; they also made 15 steals, a joint-high for them in the competition (also 15 v Greece in 2004).

The win over the Opals was Nigeria’s second win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament, after their 68-64 win against South Korea in 2004; it is however their first win in nine games in the preliminary round. They conceded only 62 points today, fewer than in any of their previous games in the competition.