FIBA Experts: ‘USA have too much of everything for Nigeria to score enough points’

FIBA experts have ruled out an upset win for Nigeria’s D’Tigress when they take on the USA in the quarterfinals of the basketball event at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics.

The FIBA experts, Jeff Taylor who is a long-time FIBA writer, Mike Taylor who once coached Poland’s national team for several years, Azania Stewart, a former Great Britain player at the 2012 Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, Mark Clark, a veteran coach, Shona Thorburn, a FIBA Media commentator and Carlan Gay, a veteran journalist and FIBA Media commentator all believe the USA is a tough and insurmountable draw for D’Tigress.

‘Nigeria have had a great tournament and their reward is the game with the gold medal favorites. USA are getting better every game and have too much of everything for Nigeria to score enough points. Nigeria will hang around but expect USA to run away with this in the second half,’ said Mark.

According to Azania, ‘this is a tough draw for Nigeria because if they were up against anyone else, I would say they could fight for a medal. But the USA is too strong and go 12 players deep. They will overpower the AfroBasket champs.

Carlan acknowledges Nigeria’s fairy tale run and believes they have written their name in gold.

‘What a story Nigeria has been at the Olympics! No matter what happens from here on out, they’ve made history and have laid the foundation for the future of African basketball on the world stage. Now they get to see how far they have left to go against the best team on the planet. Nigeria keeps it close for a half, but USA make it look easy in the second half,’ she said on FIBA website.

Jeff feels the luck of the draw did not favour Nigeria.

‘What a shame that Nigeria goes 2-1 in the Group Phase to make history as the first African team, men’s or women’s, to reach the Quarterfinals, only to then be drawn to face a virtually unbeatable USA.

‘Or maybe it’s not a shame, but an opportunity? Show the world what you have, D’Tigress. Everyone will be watching! The Americans have so much talent, that it’s hard to pick their best player! USA will roll to victory in the second half,’ says Jeff.

The others also predicted a resounding win for the Americans who have a 5-0 head to head record against the Nigerians.