An overview shows (From L) Lithuania’s centre Jonas Valanciunas, Nigeria’s power forward Ike Diogu and Lithuania’s power forward Paulius Jankunas eye a rebound during a Men’s round Group B basketball match between Lithuania and Nigeria at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO
With a terrific display at FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC) last December in Cairo, Abubakar Usman reminded everyone how he is preparing to regain a place in the senior men’s national team, the D’Tigers.
The Kano Pillars shooting guard, who recorded a tournament-high 35 points against Algerian champions GS Petroliers, last represented his country at FIBA AfroBasket 2011.
Since then, a lot has changed for good for both parts.
While the Nigerians became the first African nation to qualify for an Olympics tournament via the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2012, they also claimed a first FIBA AfroBasket title two years ago.
Meanwhile, as his chances of earning a spot in the national team seemed elusive, Usman continued making strides at club level.
He revealed to FIBA.com that he was part of a group of local-based players – alongside Stanley Gumut and Abdul Yahaya – invited for the D’Tigers preparations for the FIBA AfroBasket 2015, but somehow things didn’t work out.
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