D’Tigers forward Jordan Nwora is keen on fulfilling a lifelong dream playing for Nigeria at the FIBA Basketball World Cup which tips off in China report Completesports.com.
The Louisville Cardinals player posted an outstanding performance for D’Tigers during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African qualifiers, hitting an unprecedented 36 points against Mali to set a new tournament best.
“It’s always an honor to be able to represent a country in the World Cup, which is one of the biggest competitions in basketball. I’m proud and grateful to be able to represent Nigeria,” Nwora told FIBA.basketball.
“I am thankful to my teammates and my coaches for putting me in the position to be able to have a great outing in the qualifiers. I am hopeful that we will be able to do great things in the World Cup and bring some wins home to Nigeria.”
In the two previous participations at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 1998 and 2006,”D’Tigers” have never been able to worm their way past round 16.
But with a plethora of talented players starring in Europe and a cast of skilled players impressing in the National Basketball League (NBA) Jordan feels Nigeria can genuinely challenge for medals in China.
“I hope that the coaching staff will be able to assemble the best team – one that Nigeria can be proud of. Our goal is to be one of the countries on the medal podium at the end of the tournament.”
Nwora also admits that getting past Argentina, Russia and South Korea in the group stages of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will come with its share of challenges
“All these teams are very good, our group is a very tough group. But I am confident, and I know that the coaching staff will get us ready for the games,” Nwora mentioned.
He further insisted that Africa’s four other representatives at the global bonanza could spring up pleasant surprises.”I think that Angola, Tunisia, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire as well as Nigeria will represent Africa well.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian, Nwora is optimistic about being a first-round pick with the ambition of having a promising career in the NBA.
Nwora, a 20-year-old Louisville Cardinals man garnered a reputation for being a clinical shooter and a tremendous player averaging 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists this season.
“I feel confident that I will be able to help any team that drafts me. It’s been my dream to always compete at the highest level, so this might be my opportunity to do that,” Nwora hinted.
Jordan also credited his father for whipping up his interest in basketball and guiding him throughout his young career.
“I grew up around basketball, my father is a coach and he had a lot of influence in training me from a very early age. That’s when I developed the love for the game,” Nwora concluded.
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COMMENTS
The best B ball player we have in team naija after oladipo. See you at the mundial
He’s the son to the present D’Tigers Coach Alex Nwora. Not withstanding, He should not be dropped for any reason. The guy is just soo good. I watch him play and I just marvel at his tremendous skills. Please Mr Alex Nwora, don’t drop your son for any reason please cuz Coach Alex can be crazy sometimes. I believe this guy(Jordan) with The King himself Ike Diogu, Starlet Ireogbu and others, D’Tigers can go all the way to wow the World at the World Cup
@ Chairman…..Any news from the Aminu brothers (Al-farouq and Alade)…? They werent’t part of the team for most parts of the qualifiers. I hope all issues have been put to bed. We need our very bests for the mundial.
@Drey, Al-Farouq Aminu joined the team again at the last phase of the Africa qualification stage so Aminu’s case is settled. He’s back in the team but as for Alade he isn’t for now. But going by Coach Nwora’s words after the qualification, he said he would be going all out for any of our best player out there. So hopefully, he will be recalled.
Oladipo and Nwora are the double double consistent shooters ike Diogu had a great introduction at a point but is not consistent. I think he is ready to retire from the national team. If we take these two match winners of Oladipo and Nwora i bet Nigeria will shock many teams with this 3pointers specialist
I personally fell in love with D’Tigers cuz of Ike Diogu’s heroics for the team. He is such a great leader. Just like MIKEL brings stability to the Super Eagles with his wealth of experience, Diogu does same for D’Tigers. So I stand to disagree on the “Inconsistent” tag you are giving to D’Tigers Captain Diogu.