D’Tigress point guard Ezinne Kalu has assured fans there is more to come from the team following their historic advancement in the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a 79-70 victory over Canada in their final Group B game on Sunday, the Nigerian team secured a semifinal berth against the USA on Wednesday night at Bercy Arena.
The New Jersey-born player, a three-time AfroBasket champion, spoke confidently about the team’s prospects. Despite facing higher-ranked opponents like Australia, France, and Canada, D’Tigress overcame the odds to advance from the group stage. They began with a landmark 75-54 win over Australia, their first Olympic victory in two decades, followed by a loss to France and a decisive win over Canada. This achievement marked the first time an African team—male or female—has progressed beyond the group phase in Olympic basketball.
D’Tigress initially led their group with five classification points but fell to third after Australia’s 79-72 win over France in the other match.
Ahead of their clash with the USA, Kalu, who led Nigeria with 21 points against Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the team’s performance and the overall experience in Paris. “The Eiffel Tower, croissants, more food… it’s amazing to be in Paris and to experience the energy of so many different countries,” Kalu said. “Being the only African team competing in basketball here means a lot to us, and we’re not taking it for granted.”
Kalu, who has made significant contributions since returning to national duties after a three-year hiatus, highlighted the significance of the team’s progress. “It means a lot, not just to us as a team but to the entire African continent. It only gets harder from here, but we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s so much more to come.”
The team’s journey continues as they prepare for the challenging semifinal against the USA, aiming to build on their historic Olympic run.
