The D’Tigress story begins in the early 1990s when women’s basketball in Nigeria was still in its infancy. The team’s first major success came in 2003 when they won the African Women’s Championship, which at the time was known as the FIBA Africa Women’s Championship. This victory marked the beginning of a new era for Nigerian women’s basketball and helped to increase interest in the sport throughout the country.

Over the years, the D’Tigress have continued to build on their success, winning multiple African Women’s Championships and qualifying for several FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cups and Olympic Games. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lack of resources and support, the team has remained resilient and has continued to work hard to achieve its goals.

One of the most notable moments in the D’Tigress story came in 2017 when the team won their third African Women’s Championship. This victory was particularly significant, as it came after a long period of struggle for the team, during which they faced several setbacks and obstacles. The win also secured the team’s qualification for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which they went on to compete in and achieve their best-ever performance.

The D’Tigress has also been instrumental in helping to develop women’s basketball in Nigeria, and has inspired a new generation of young girls and women to take up the sport. Through their hard work, dedication, and determination, the team has become a source of pride and inspiration for Nigerians both at home and abroad.

THE START OF SUCCESS

The D’Tigress has had a long history of success in African women’s basketball, winning numerous African Championships and participating in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup several times. However, their success on the global stage began to take shape in the early 2010s, when they began to compete more regularly in international tournaments and gain recognition from the international basketball community.

In 2017, the D’Tigress made history by winning the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament for the third time, becoming the first team to do so in back-to-back-to-back fashion. They followed that up with a strong performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, winning a silver medal and solidifying their status as a rising global basketball power.

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— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) September 26, 2022

The team continued to impress in 2019, winning the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament for a fourth time and securing a spot in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the Olympics to 2021, but the D’Tigress remains one of the top women’s basketball teams in Africa and a rising force on the global stage.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CAUSES OF SUCCESS

The D’Tigress, like many other national sports teams in Nigeria, has seen an influx of foreign-born Nigerians who have joined the team in recent years. These players were born outside Nigeria but have Nigerian roots or heritage, and are eligible to represent Nigeria on the international stage.

The influx of foreign-born players has played a significant role in the success of the D’Tigress, the Nigerian women’s basketball team. The team has benefited from the skills and talents of players of Nigerian descent who were born and raised in other countries, particularly in the United States, where basketball is a popular sport.

Nigeria’s Squad At The World Cup

Many of these foreign-born players have been trained in American collegiate basketball programs and have gained valuable experience playing at a high level of competition. They bring their knowledge and expertise to the Nigerian team and have helped to improve the overall level of play.

In addition, the presence of foreign-born players on the team has helped to raise the profile of Nigerian women’s basketball internationally, bringing more attention to the sport and creating new opportunities for development and growth.

The inclusion of foreign-born players in the D’Tigress has brought a new level of talent and skill to the team, helping them to compete at a higher level and achieve greater success in international competitions. 

Some notable foreign-born players who have represented the D’Tigress in recent years include Adaora Elonu (born in Houston, Texas), Promise Amukamara (born in San Jose, California), and Aisha Balarabe (born in London, England). These players, along with others, have helped to elevate the D’Tigress to one of the top women’s basketball teams in Africa.