AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, has appointed former NBA coach David Fizdale as its new head coach as the country begins preparations for qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Fizdale confirmed his appointment in an interview with ESPN Andscape, describing the opportunity as a special moment in his coaching career.
The American coach previously handled the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks in the NBA before working as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns from 2023 to 2025. He currently serves as an analyst on NBA TV.
Speaking about his new role, Fizdale said the chance to lead Nigeria back to the Olympics, especially in his hometown of Los Angeles, strongly influenced his decision.
“It will be fun and exciting calling timeouts and drawing plays up again as a head coach,” Fizdale said.
“What is driving me the most is helping Nigeria not only qualify and medal, but to do that in front of my family. That would be the most special thing.”
Nigeria has appeared at the Olympic Games three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2020, but has never won a medal in men’s basketball.
Current New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, who previously coached D’Tigers at the Tokyo Olympics, reportedly played a major role in convincing Fizdale to accept the job.
“I’m super excited. I have Mike Brown to thank, who coached the team before and the year they beat the U.S. in the qualifiers and played in Japan,” Fizdale said.
“After some good talks and going back-and-forth, we agreed that I was going to try to take the team to qualify.”
Nigeria’s qualification journey will begin at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Luanda, where D’Tigers are expected to face Angola, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda.
Several NBA players of Nigerian heritage are also being linked with the national team ahead of future tournaments, including OG Anunoby, Desmond Bane, Gabe Vincent, Precious Achiuwa and Josh Okogie.
Fizdale admitted he has never visited Nigeria, but said coaching the team at the Olympics in Los Angeles would represent a full-circle moment in his life.
“The reality of it is if I do get this team qualified for the Olympics, it will be in my hometown,” he said.
