D’TIGRESS BREAKS NEW GROUND: NIGERIA'S WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM CRACKS TOP 10 IN LATEST FIBA WORLD RANKINGS

• 16 Oct, 2024
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In a thrilling leap, Nigeria's D’Tigress has surged into the top 10 of the FIBA World Ranking Women, marking a historic achievement for African basketball. This significant rise comes on the heels of a remarkable performance at the Paris Olympic Games, where D’Tigress not only secured two wins out of three games but also became the first African team—male or female—to advance to the quarter-finals of the Olympics.

Their Olympic journey began with a spectacular victory over Australia, clinching a 75-62 win that showcased their prowess on the global stage. This win was particularly noteworthy as Australia, which went on to secure the bronze medal, was a formidable opponent. Despite a setback against France in their second game, where they lost 54-75, D’Tigress bounced back with a decisive 79-70 victory over Canada, propelling them into the quarter-finals from Group B.

The quarter-final clash against the U.S. was a formidable challenge, resulting in a 74-88 loss. The U.S., continuing their dominance, went on to win the gold medal, securing their top spot in the rankings with 883.3 points and capturing their 10th title, an eighth consecutive Olympic gold.

The FIBA rankings have been updated to reflect the dynamic shifts following the Olympics. France experienced a notable rise, jumping four places to secure the third spot after a nail-biting silver medal finish, losing only by a single point (66-67) to the U.S. Germany also made waves with a dramatic ascent, moving up eight places to 13th after their impressive quarter-final debut.

Serbia, another standout, climbed from 10th to 9th in the rankings after their strong performance in Paris. Additionally, teams that excelled in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournaments saw significant movement. Czechia, victorious in Mexico City, moved up to 21st, while Hungary’s win in Kigali propelled them to 15th.

Rwanda, despite not advancing past the pre-qualifying stage, achieved the most notable improvement in the Top 100, climbing 12 places to 62nd. Meanwhile, South Korea, despite a strong performance in the final in Mexico, could not advance due to the rise of other teams like Germany.

This latest ranking underscores the evolving landscape of women’s basketball, with Nigeria’s D’Tigress standing as a testament to the growing strength and competitiveness of African teams on the global stage. As FIBA continues to govern and shape the sport globally, the progress and achievements of these teams highlight the vibrant and competitive nature of international women’s basketball.