Nigeria could become a one of the greatest basketball playing nations in the world says former basketball players in the US, who are in Abuja for a basketball clinic.
Detlef Schrempf, a former NBA basketball player and Tamika Raymond, who played in the WNBA, were at the Old Parade Ground, for a training programme sponsored by the Sports United programs for youths, in collaboration with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), National Basketball Association (NBA), the FCT Sports Council and the Open Mic Society.
They were highly impressed with the potentials on parade at the venue and according to Schrempf, Nigeria ranks alongside Senegal in terms of the level of development of the sport in Africa.
“This is something (basketball) we really want to push in Africa and Nigeria as a very good ground with abundant talents,” he said.
“Nigeria is the only country in the continent of Africa that has the greatest number of basketball players in the NBA, in the United States.
“Teaching the fundamentals of the basketball game it is only Nigeria and Senegal that has some of the brightest kids in the game. But the brightest teenage players I have ever coached is Nigeria. Nigerian basketball players are very athletic, very strong and have good tall players but the fundamentals are lacking. That is why we are here to help teach this kids the basics and fundamentals.”
Tamika also expressed excitement at the prospects of the talents on display at the two-day programme, adding that: “Some of the players that play in the US are Indians and Chinese players. Nigerian basketball players are very strong and like to make the most use of opportunity that comes their way unlike the Americans. That is why they are doing well in America.”
The NBBF commended the partners for the programme, stressing it would afford the country the opportunity to foster wider spectra of talents whom the nation basketball could gain from in the future.
