Ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane has indicated interest in switching nationality to represent Nigeria, while also encouraging other NBA players of Nigerian heritage to commit to the D’Tigers.

Bane, 27, was born in the United States to a Nigerian father and an American mother and has yet to represent any country at senior international level. He was one of eight players of Nigerian heritage selected in the 2020–21 NBA Draft, chosen 30th overall by the Boston Celtics, before establishing himself with the Memphis Grizzlies and later joining the Orlando Magic. The 6ft 6in shooting guard has developed into one of the NBA’s most consistent perimeter scorers.

His potential availability for D’Tigers comes at a critical time, following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. That disappointment followed successive Olympic appearances at London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.

“I would for sure,” Bane said when asked about the possibility of answering Nigeria’s call-up if it came.

“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple of years and make something happen.”

Nigeria’s first route to qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics depends on securing a place at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. To do so, D’Tigers must finish ahead of Guinea and Tunisia from third position in their first-round qualifying group.

At the World Cup, they would then need to finish as the highest-ranked African team among the five nations from the continent competing in Qatar. Failure to do that, Nigeria would have to rely on the African Olympic qualifying tournament, featuring six teams, with only the winner earning a ticket to Los Angeles.

It is an arduous task for D’Tigers, who are currently ranked 50th in the world and seventh in Africa according to the latest FIBA rankings, following a run of disappointing results.

However, Bane believes qualification is achievable and has expressed willingness to actively recruit fellow NBA players of Nigerian descent who are still eligible.

“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith(Indiana Pacers),” Bane told BBC Sport. “Me and Gabe Vincent (Los Angeles Lakers) have also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”

Bane has previously spoken with pride about his Nigerian roots and has long hinted at a desire to honour that heritage on the international stage.