OLYMPIC GAMES 2021 | BASKETBALL
Nigeria basketball beats Team USA ahead of Olympic Games
The victory over the United States in Las Vegas puts Nigeria, a potential new powerhouse with a team dominated by NBA stars, into the summer games limelight.
Nigeria's basketball team is not a surprise, it is simply confirmation of what we already know.
The African side, the first from this continent to beat the global stars of the United States, is threatening to cause a stir at the 2021 Olympic Games, which begins later this month. In the Las Vegas friendly, against the almighty, they have already won and convinced most of their remaining doubters.
Nigeria shine ahead of Olympics
Nigeria pulled off one of the greatest upsets in international basketball history Saturday night by stunning Team USA in an Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas, 90-87. The win was a far cry from when Team USA defeated Nigeria 156-73 in August 2012 at the London Olympics.
Nigeria features six NBA players and is coached by former NBA head coach and current Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown. The Nigerian side defeated a Team USA starting five of Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Bam Adebayo.
Gabe Vincent, who averaged 4.8 points in 13.1 minutes per game for the Miami Heat this past season, led all scorers with 21 points and made six 3-pointers for Nigeria. Durant scored 17 points and Tatum had 15 for Team USA.
The other NBA players playing for Nigeria include Precious Achiuwa and KZ Okpala of the Miami Heat, Chimezie Metu (Sacramento), Josh Okogie (Minnesota) and Miye Oni (Utah).
Team USA plays its second exhibition game on Monday against Australia.