NBBF Unveils Comprehensive Preparation Schedule for Nigeria's U18 Teams Ahead of FIBA Africa Championships
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced an extensive preparation program for its U18 Boys' and Girls' National Teams in anticipation of the 2026 FIBA U18 Africa Championships. This strategic plan, detailed by NBBF President Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, emphasizes talent identification, development, and rigorous training for both domestic and diaspora players.
The preparation process kicks off with simultaneous national tryouts across Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6 and 7, 2026. These tryouts aim to scout promising young talents from all corners of Nigeria. Following the initial selections, the U18 Boys' National Team will commence a local training camp from June 19 to July 2, 2026. This camp serves as preparation for the FIBA U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso from July 4 to 12, 2026. Notably, the team competing in the zonal qualifiers will consist exclusively of locally based players.
Selected players from both the boys' and girls' programs will then converge for another local training camp from July 19 to 27, 2026. This intensive period will focus on enhancing technical skills, physical conditioning, and team cohesion.
Highlighting its commitment to global talent, the NBBF will also host a training and evaluation camp in Chicago, USA, from July 24 to 26, 2026. This camp offers Nigerian players based in the diaspora a chance to compete for a spot on the final roster and strengthens the connection with the international basketball community.
The final phase of preparation will see all selected players, both from Nigeria and abroad, gather in Côte d'Ivoire for a joint integration camp from July 27 to August 2, 2026. This camp will concentrate on tactical strategies, team chemistry, and final roster adjustments.
The 2026 FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals are scheduled to be held in Côte d'Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026, where Nigeria's U18 teams will aim to compete at the highest level of African basketball. President Kida emphasized that this program underscores the NBBF's dedication to youth development and building a sustainable future for Nigerian basketball.
The preparation process kicks off with simultaneous national tryouts across Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6 and 7, 2026. These tryouts aim to scout promising young talents from all corners of Nigeria. Following the initial selections, the U18 Boys' National Team will commence a local training camp from June 19 to July 2, 2026. This camp serves as preparation for the FIBA U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso from July 4 to 12, 2026. Notably, the team competing in the zonal qualifiers will consist exclusively of locally based players.
Selected players from both the boys' and girls' programs will then converge for another local training camp from July 19 to 27, 2026. This intensive period will focus on enhancing technical skills, physical conditioning, and team cohesion.
Highlighting its commitment to global talent, the NBBF will also host a training and evaluation camp in Chicago, USA, from July 24 to 26, 2026. This camp offers Nigerian players based in the diaspora a chance to compete for a spot on the final roster and strengthens the connection with the international basketball community.
The final phase of preparation will see all selected players, both from Nigeria and abroad, gather in Côte d'Ivoire for a joint integration camp from July 27 to August 2, 2026. This camp will concentrate on tactical strategies, team chemistry, and final roster adjustments.
The 2026 FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals are scheduled to be held in Côte d'Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026, where Nigeria's U18 teams will aim to compete at the highest level of African basketball. President Kida emphasized that this program underscores the NBBF's dedication to youth development and building a sustainable future for Nigerian basketball.
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