NBBF Opens U-18 Boys Pre-Selection Camp Ahead of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers

NBBF Opens U-18 Boys Pre-Selection Camp Ahead of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers

Sampson Adedeji 

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced the commencement of its U-18 Boys National Team Pre-Selection Camp as preparations intensify for the FIBA Africa U-18 Zone 3 Qualifiers scheduled to hold in Burkina Faso, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NBBF Technical Committee, Babs Ogunade, the camp will run from June 24 to July 3, 2026, at the Indoor Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The camp forms a crucial part of the federation’s strategy to identify and develop emerging basketball talents across the country ahead of international competitions.

Following a nationwide scouting and evaluation exercise, a selected group of promising players has been invited to participate in the programme under the supervision of head coach Ikima Michael and his technical crew.

The exercise will provide the coaching staff with the opportunity to assess the players’ technical abilities, physical condition, discipline, and overall readiness for national team assignments.

At the conclusion of the camp, the final squad that will represent Nigeria at the FIBA Africa U-18 Zone 3 Qualifiers, slated for July 2 to 15, 2026, in Burkina Faso, will be unveiled.

The federation noted that the Benin City camp is part of a comprehensive preparation programme aimed at ensuring Nigeria is well-positioned to compete successfully on the continental stage.

Following the qualifiers, selected home-based players will continue preparations in a training camp scheduled for July 16 to 25, 2026.

The NBBF will also organize a United States Training Camp and Talent Evaluation Programme in Chicago from July 23 to 25, 2026, where eligible Nigerian players in the diaspora will be assessed for possible inclusion in the national team.

Thereafter, players selected from both the home-based and diaspora camps will converge in Côte d’Ivoire for a Final Joint Preparation Camp from July 27 to August 3, 2026, ahead of the FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship Finals.

The championship is scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026, with Nigeria hoping to assemble a strong and competitive squad capable of making a significant impact at the tournament.