NBBF holds U18 Boys pre-selection camp in Benin City  

Editor

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced the commencement of the U18 Boys National Team Pre-Selection Camp, scheduled to hold from June 24 to July 3 at the Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

A release signed by the Chairman of the NBBF Technical Committee, Babs Ogunade, stated that the camp forms a critical phase in the Federation’s preparations for the upcoming FIBA Africa U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers in Burkina Faso, as Nigeria continues its commitment to identifying, developing, and nurturing the next generation of basketball talent across the country.

“Following an extensive scouting and evaluation process conducted across various regions, a select group of talented young athletes has been invited to participate in the camp under the guidance of Coach Ikima Michael and the technical crew.

“The pre-selection exercise will provide an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess players’ technical abilities, physical readiness, character, and overall suitability for national team representation. At the conclusion of the camp, the team that will represent Nigeria at the FIBA Africa U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers in Burkina Faso from July 2–15, 2026 will be selected.

“The Federation notes that the Benin City camp is a part of a comprehensive preparation pathway designed to give Nigeria the best opportunity for success at the continental level. Following the Zone 3 Qualifiers, selected local players will continue preparations through a training camp scheduled for July 16–25, 2026.

“In addition, the Federation will organize a United States Training Camp and Talent Evaluation Programme in Chicago from July 23–25, 2026, providing an opportunity to evaluate and integrate eligible Nigerian diaspora players into the national team programme.

“Thereafter, all selected players from Nigeria and the diaspora will participate in a Final Joint Preparation Camp in Côte d’Ivoire from July 27 to August 3, 2026, ahead of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship Finals scheduled for August 3–16, 2026, in Côte d’Ivoire.”

NBBF President Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida reiterated the Federation’s commitment to grassroots basketball development and talent identification.

“The future of Nigerian basketball lies in our ability to consistently discover and develop young talent. This U18 camp represents another important step in our long-term vision of building sustainable pathways for our youth athletes to progress to the highest levels of the game. We are excited about the quality of talent emerging across the country and look forward to seeing these young players compete for the opportunity to wear the green and white.”