Nigeria’s U19 women’s basketball team, known as the Junior D’Tigress, have completed their first-ever campaign at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, finishing 12th overall in a proud and historic debut.
The tournament took place in Brno, Czech Republic, from 12 to 20 July 2025. It was the first time Nigeria competed at this level, and the young team impressed with their fighting spirit and two hard-earned wins.
After a loss to Hungary in the Round of 16, Nigeria bounced back with a strong 68–58 win over Argentina in the 9th–16th classification round. Their first win came in a thrilling 93–88 victory against China in the opening game.
In the win against Argentina, Wandoo Marvis Hembam and Nora Ezike each scored 17 points. Haminatu Ayodeji added 11 points from the bench, while Abigail Isaac and Idubamo Beggi scored 8 points each. Nigeria had a great third quarter and stayed calm in the final minutes to secure the result.
Although Nigeria was the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, they showed they could compete with the best. Their energy, effort, and talent stood out throughout.
In the 9th–12th placement match, Nigeria lost to South Korea. Hembam scored 19 points, Ezike 18, and Ayodeji got a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
In their final game — the 11th-place match — they faced China again but lost 96–71. Still, several players put in strong performances: Beggi scored 18 points and made 5 rebounds and 6 assists, Ezike added 12 points and 9 rebounds, Hembam scored 10, and Momoluwa Tewogbade added 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Despite finishing with 2 wins and 5 losses, Nigeria’s young team left the tournament with their heads held high. They showed heart, promise, and a bright future for women’s basketball in Nigeria.
Standout players like Hembam, Ezike, Beggi, and Tewogbade gave fans a glimpse of what the future might look like for the senior team.
This World Cup run was just the beginning. With the right support, training, and international experience, these young women could become stars on both the African and global stage.