MIa Boykin
In a stunning upset at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, defeated world No. 3 Australia 75-62 in their opening game. This victory marks Nigeria’s first Olympic win in women’s basketball since 2004 and their first-ever win in Olympic group play.
The game, played in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, saw Nigeria, the second-lowest team on The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rankings in the 12-team field, overcoming significant odds against an Australian team boasting six current WNBA players, including three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson and 2023 WNBA champion Cayla George.
Nigeria’s success was built on a foundation of aggressive defense. The team recorded 15 steals and forced 26 turnovers, converting these into 19 points. This defensive pressure allowed Nigeria to attempt 68 shots compared to Australia’s 57, a significant advantage in offensive opportunities.
Meanwhile, Australia struggled throughout the game, particularly at the free-throw line, where they converted only 8 of 18 attempts. This poor shooting, combined with their high turnover rate, proved costly against Nigeria’s relentless play.
Key players for Nigeria included Ezinne Kalu, who scored 19 points, and Amy Okonkwo, who scored 13. Okonkwo emphasized the importance of this win for African basketball, stating, “We’re really trying to do our best to put ourselves on the map and show what Africa is capable of.” The victory was particularly impressive given that Nigeria’s roster doesn’t include any current or former WNBA players, in stark contrast to the star-studded Australian lineup coached by New York Liberty’s Sandy Brondello.
Nigeria’s coach, Rena Wakama, praised her team’s physicality and toughness, attributes that proved crucial in securing the win. “We’re tough, we’re edgy,” Wakama said. “I pride the girls on being the more physical team and usually, we win that advantage. That’s our DNA.”
Just days before their historic win, the team made a 2.5-hour journey from Lille to Paris to participate in the opening ceremony. However, upon arrival, they were denied access to their country’s boat by their own federation, reportedly due to a lack of space. This incident, which occurred without public comment from the Nigerian delegation, cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of pride and unity for the team.
This off-court drama serves as a testament to the team’s mental fortitude and dedication to the game. Despite not getting their moment in the spotlight, the team decided to showcase their pride on the court.
This victory is part of a promising start for African nations at the Olympics, with South Sudan’s men’s basketball team also winning their opener in the country’s first-ever Olympic game. These results have put both African teams in the tournament at 2-0.
Looking ahead, Nigeria faces host nation France in their next game on Thursday, August 1 at 11:15 AM EST, while Australia will attempt to bounce back against Canada on the same day.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Nigeria to see if they can build on this historic win and potentially reach the quarterfinals, a feat no African country has ever achieved in Olympic women’s basketball.
