The report says the Nigeria Basketball Federation this week named NBA veteran David Fizdale as head coach of the D’Tigers, and that Fizdale has set his sights on not just qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles but medalling there. The report says the 51-year-old has spent more than two decades in the NBA, won two championships with the Miami Heat, coached Hall of Famers and held a front office role.
Per the report, Fizdale said in an interview with M4S TV in Nigeria, “We have to make getting to Los Angeles our mission. That is my ultimate goal, to get this team to those Olympics. And not just get there. I want to win.” The report says he stressed the need to raise expectations and match the standards of the top teams.
The report says D’Tigers have suffered leadership troubles in recent years and currently sit third in Group C of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, described as the first step on the route to the Games. The report says Nigeria were beaten by Tunisia and Guinea and could only manage an overtime win over Rwanda.
Recruitment is identified in the report as Fizdale’s immediate priority. The report says he has consulted with Chimezie Metu, whom he coached in Phoenix, and with Josh Okogie, another former Suns player who is with the Houston Rockets. The report says Fizdale has spoken to 14 NBA players who are not currently eligible but have deep Nigerian connections and that he has received “a ton of excitement.” He is quoted in the report saying, “I got two commitments. I will not say who, because I think it’s their story to tell.”
The report says D’Tigers’ past successes were built on calling upon NBA and European talent, naming Ekpe Udoh, Gabe Vincent, Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie, Precious Achiuwa and Jordan Nwora. Fizdale told the outlet that players working to get eligibility will not be satisfied simply to attend the Olympics; “They’re going to want to win a medal,” per the report.
Per the report, the 2028 Games will be held in Fizdale’s hometown of Los Angeles, a connection he described as personally meaningful after watching the 1984 Olympics there. The report says Fizdale is already working on recruitment and eligibility as the immediate steps toward his stated Olympic ambitions.
