Exclusive: "I Am Disappointed In NBBF Leaders" - D'Tigers Captain Breaks Silence

Exclusive: "I Am Disappointed In NBBF Leaders" - D'Tigers Captain Breaks Silence

By Niyi Busari

Former D'Tigers captain, Ike Diogu, has said that he was disappointed in the selfish Nigeria basketball leaders who dont consider what the athletes will going through during the two years withdrawal from international tournaments, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

BSN Sports reports that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Sports announced the withdrawal of Nigeria from all  international basketball competitions for two years. This follows the leadership tussle that has bedevilled the game in the last five years. 

In an exclusive interview with BSN Sports, the 2017 Afrobasket Most Valuable Player (MVP) said he hopes the government action will open the eyes of basketball leaders to doing the right thing.

He said, "Nothing much to say, I’m just disappointed that the athletes who put the work in have to suffer over people who want power and control.

 "I am disappointed in a lot of people but I hope it opens their eyes that the supposed leaders don’t care about the program." Diogu told BSN Sports.

Diogu was selected 9th overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. On December 23, 2005, he recorded a professional career-best 27 points on 13–15 shooting, surpassing his previous best by 12 points.

Diogu has played with the senior men's Nigeria national basketball team. He has competed at two Summer Olympiads: the 2012 and 2016. He was named MVP of the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket tournament after averaging 22 points, 8.7 rebounds.