Nigeria women’s basketball team makes history even in loss to U.S.

PARIS – As Nigeria guard Ezinne Kalu smiled proudly and answered questions about the greatest African basketball team in Olympic history, Team USA guard Diana Taurasi made it a point to pat her on the back and salute her as she passed by in the mixed zone.

“She is a bad girl right here. She never stops. She a bad girl,” Phoenix Mercury player Taurasi, who is playing in her sixth Olympics, said.

As Taurasi walked away, a stunned Kalu said, “That means a lot coming from the GOAT.”

The Olympic story came to an end for Kalu and the history-making Nigerian women’s basketball team Wednesday night after an 88-74 loss to the U.S. at Bercy Arena. The statement that Nigeria’s team, also known as D’Tigress, made in the Olympics, however, was that African basketball is on the rise and these women are leading the way.

Nigeria made history by becoming the first Olympic team from Africa, male or female, to make the quarterfinals in the Olympics. The D’Tigress (2-2) also earned a record two wins by defeating Canada and Australia in preliminary action. Nigeria was ranked 12th by FIBA entering the Olympics and is likely assured of a Top 8 ranking in the world now.

“I’m happy. We’ve accomplished so much just being the only African country left in the tournament,” American-born Kalu, whose father is Nigerian, said. “To be the best, you have to beat the best. Unfortunately, we fell short today. But I think people will remember who Nigeria was today.

“It’s a huge accomplishment. So many times, people have looked away from Nigeria basketball, even women’s basketball in general. To come to this tournament and put up the performance that we did, I’m pretty sure that the eyes are on Africa now. I’m just looking forward to the development of the young boys and girls back at home. And I look forward to what is going to happen now.”

“It’s a movement for Nigeria and Africa. We have so much talent. All can see what we are capable of doing if we invest in ourselves, invest in Africa, invest in sports,” Nigeria women’s basketball coach Rena Wakama said.

The star of the Games for Nigeria was certainly Kalu.

Kalu had 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and four made free throws in 38 minutes against the U.S. The former star guard from historically Black Savannah State scored 21 points against Canada. It was Nigeria’s first 20-plus game since Mfon Udoka, sister of Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, scored 26 and 28 points, respectively, against Australia and Greece at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Kalu last played professionally for Landerneau Bretagne Basket in France. Perhaps the WNBA is paying attention now.

“The sky is the limit. I’m going to continue to work,” Kalu said.

When asked by Andscape what words of wisdom she would give a young Nigerian or African girl aspiring to be a basketball star, Kalu said, “Keep dreaming. Keep going. Stay motivated. Stay dedicated. Whatever your dreams are, keep working every day to accomplish that.

“I’m a living testimony. I’ve been through so many injuries, ACL, PCL, shoulder, wrist. Anything is possible. Just keep on living and don’t let everyone ever tell you that your dreams are not worth fighting for.”

The D’Tigress’ Olympic success inspired Nigerians, and other basketball programs and players on the continent.

“There is so much talent and potential in Africa,” South Sudan women’s coach Lindsey Harding, also a Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach, said. “Nigeria has been good for a long time and to see them at the Olympics in the quarterfinals is so inspiring. I believe representation matters and when young girls and boys see someone doing something they want to do, and are from where they are from, it might be the motivation they need to do something great.”

South Sudan men’s basketball also made history by winning a game during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Royal Ivey, South Sudan men’s basketball coach, believed Africa made a statement on the basketball court.

“African Basketball is on the rise. They have woke up a sleeping giant. Stay tuned to what is up next,” Ivey told Andscape.

USA Basketball guard Jewell Loyd told Andscape before the quarterfinals matchup that she had strong respect for Nigeria and that she knew they would be tough to beat with their smothering defense and relentless play. Nigeria was within 13 points of the United States in the fourth quarter. The U.S. has now won 59 consecutive games. Loyd was on the U.S. team that defeated Nigeria by only nine points, 81-72, during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“The fight was there when they come out. You don’t ever want to start slow. So, for us, we made sure we came out to a good start. We never turned back from there,” Loyd said.

Loyd certainly is familiar with the state of women’s basketball in Africa.

The Seattle Storm star gave words of wisdom and basketball tips to 23 young woman who participated in a BAL 4HeR workshop at the 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 participated in a girls basketball clinic.

Girls play in the NBA Academy Africa, but there are no plans for the NBA to start a BAL for women. The young Nigerian women’s national team had a training camp in Germany rather than Nigeria. Perhaps with this Nigerian win, change may be coming for basketball on the continent.

“For people that are trying to get involved with African basketball, Nigeria and everything, the growth of the country itself is on the up-and-up,” Loyd told Andscape. “Basketball is on the rise. If anyone has seen what they’ve done and don’t get inspired, they should. It’s not easy to do what they are able to do. The talent and the growth is getting better.”

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team shocked the world by defeating USA Basketball in an exhibition game before the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The South Sudan men’s basketball team defeated Puerto Rico in the 2024 Games and lost to the U.S. by only one point in an exhibition game. And now the spotlight is on Nigeria’s women.

Kalu is optimistic about the direction of basketball in Nigeria and across Africa, but much more help with financing, infrastructure and development is needed.

“It just shows that the development is there,” Kalu said. “You have coaches that are putting in the time and effort to improve the younger generation to where we are now. It just shows the growth of the team. And if we put our resources to where it needs to go, use the money to fund the youngsters with ambition and the girls that are working hard, I’m pretty sure basketball will continue to grow in Africa.”

“We just need more time. And these young ones just need more time to play on this level. We need to continue to invest in the youth. We need to continue to invest in the development of basketball not only in America, not only in Europe, but Africa as well,” Wakama said.