Okogie returns to lead the Nigerian men's basketball team in the World Cup qualifiers.

August 21st - According to ESPN, Utah Jazz guard Josh Okogie will lead the Nigerian men's national basketball team in the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Tunisia this month. The team's roster has been significantly strengthened, featuring several NBA and NBA G League players.

The 27-year-old Okogie previously played for the Houston Rockets, where he played 78 games last season and achieved a career-high 38.5% three-point shooting percentage. In July of this year, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Utah Jazz. During the 2025 Basketball Championship in Africa, Okogie averaged 14.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, and scored 33 points against Tunisia.

Head coach David Fizdale will continue to lead the team. Nigeria advanced to the second stage after winning all three of their previous matches, defeating Tunisia, Guinea, and Rwanda.

In the first window of the second stage, Nigeria will face Cameroon, South Sudan, and Cape Verde on August 27 , 28 , and 30 , respectively . The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team, will qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

Image source: Internet