During the holiday season, it’s always great to hear about stories like this. Victor Oladipo, who won the NBA 2017-2018 Most Improved Player award last season, surprised a fan Renita Hills by donating the car that he won to her. Well-done Victor!
Basketball
Ifunanya Ibekwe’s Jersey Retired
On November 23rd, Ifunanya ‘Ify’ Ibekwe was inducted into the University of Arizona Women Basketball Ring of Honor. Ify played for the Wildcats from 2007 through 2011 where she had a great career. She was the last Wildcat to receive AP All-American honors (08-09, 10-11). Ibekwe was First-Team All-Pac-10 during her sophomore, junior, & senior seasons. Finally, Ibekwe won Defensive Player of Year during her final two seasons for the Wildcats. Ify still holds Arizona Wildcats records for most career rebounds (1,194), rebounds in a single season (352), most rebounds in a single game (22 vs ASU on 2/13/11), and career double-doubles (55) amongst others. It is evident that Ify was a defensive & rebounding prowess during her time at Arizona. But she is also the fourth all time leading scorer (1,653 points) in Arizona’s history as well. After a great college career, the Seattle Storm drafted Ibekwe in the 1st Rd of 2011 WNBA Draft. Ify’s jersey will be retired in the McKale Memorial Center forever. Congrats to Ify on receiving an amazing honor.
Okogie Dunk of the Night
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Josh Okogie dunks all over the San Antonio Spurs on this play.
Okogie finished 12 points (3/4 from three point), 2 rebounds, & 2 assists. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more highlights like in the future from him.
Giannis Off to A Fast Start To The Season
Gary Dineen/Milwaukee Bucks
We all thought that this season could be the breakthrough season where Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first MVP award. With only two week into the 2018 – 2019 NBA season, Giannis is proving many of us correct. Giannis has lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a record of 6 – 0 while averaging 25 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.7 BPG. This six game winning streak even includes a triple double performance by Giannis versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (highlights below). It’s only two weeks into the season, but you can definitely see the confidence in his game. We haven’t seen the improved three point shot that we worked on over the offseason, but that will sure come soon. I have no doubt that Giannis will continue this early level of success throughout the entire season.
The Milwaukee Bucks face a huge challenge tonight when they square off against the Toronto Raptors led by another early MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. It will be the battle of the undefeated teams, let’s see if Giannis can continue his hot start.
Nigeria Run Comes To End at the FIBA World Cup
In the Quarterfinals matchup yesterday, the USA defeated Nigeria 71-40. Nigeria led after the first quarter 17-9, but the D’Tigress couldn’t withstand the star power on the dominant Team USA squad. Ezinne Josephine Kalue was the top performer for the D’Tigress with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, & 5 steals. Nneka Ogwumike had 6 points and 3 rebounds for Team USA.
Despite the loss, this team has nothing to be ashamed of. They made history during this tournament and showed the world that Nigeria basketball (men & women) is here to stay for a long time. During this tournament Nigeria became the first African country to have three victories in a World Cup and the first African country to reach the World Cup Quarterfinals (for women African teams). The D’Tigress are just getting started.
Nneka Ogwumike Is Excited About Upcoming Nigeria vs USA Matchup
On Friday, the Nigeria will face the USA in the Quarterfinals of the 2018 FIBA Women Basketball World Cup. For Nneka Ogwumike this will be a bittersweet game. Nneka is Nigerian, but she is playing for Team USA in this tournament. Here is her tweet about the game below:
I love how Nneka & her sister Chiney continue to embrace their Nigerian culture and are great role models young girls growing up. As Nneka stated this game shows everyone how much the game of basketball has grown in Nigeria. There’s so much talent in Nigeria and this will only be the beginning to matchups between Nigeria and the USA. Although, I want to see Nneka do well tomorrow, I’m rooting for Nigeria to pull off the upset.
Nigeria Advances to the Quarterfinals
The D’Tigress survive a close game versus Greece in the Quarter Final Qualification round today. Nigeria defeated Greece 57-56 to advance to the Quarterfinals in the 2018 FIBA Women Basketball World Cup. Evelyn Akhator was the top performer with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, & 1 block. Nigeria was down 1 with :03 seconds left in the game. However, Elo Edema Edeferioka was able to draw a foul and made both free throws to give the D’Tigress the lead. Check out the highlights here:
Nigeria will take on the USA Friday September 28th in the Quarterfinals. This will be a great match.
Nigeria’s First FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Victory
The Nigeria D’Tigress earned their first ever victory in the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Nigeria defeated Turkey 74-68 in the second game of the Group Phase round. Sarah Ogoke led the team with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 steal.
The 2018 FIBA Women Basketball World Cup is currently taking place in Spain. After losing the opening game in the tournament to Australia, Nigeria responded today with an improved performance. Check out the highlights below:
The next game is on Tuesday September 25th vs. Argentina. If Nigeria wins this game, they will secure the 2nd seed in Group B (gives them better positioning in the Quarter Final Qualifications round)
We’ll keep you updated on the D’Tigress progress in this tournament.
The D’Tigers Qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup
After defeating Central Africa Republic 114 – 69 today, the Nigeria D’Tigers becomes the first team to officially qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Al-Farouq Aminu was the star player today during the game with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, & 3 steals. Here are some highlights from the game:
Nigeria is currently ranked 32nd in the FIBA World Rank. They should continue to rise in the rankings after this victory. The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in China from August 31st – September 15th.
The D’Tigers look to continue their undefeated streak (8-0) in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers with a match tomorrow vs Senegal.
Oladipo Top Athletic Plays From 2017-2018 Season
On this Throwback Thursday, check out Indiana Pacers’ All Star guard Victor Oladipo most athletic plays from this past season:
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