Mike Brown
FILE - Nigeria's Jahlil Okafor (15), center, celebrates with teammates after making a basket during men's basketball preliminary round game against Italy at the 2020 Summer Olympics, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. The Nigerian government has made a sudden U-turn and cleared its national basketball teams to return to competition immediately. The sports ministry on Thursday, June 23, 2022 says the decision to lift a ban on the teams playing in international competitions came after an appeal to the government by the Nigerian Basketball Federation. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
Nigerian government allows basketball teams to play again

By Gerald Imray Jun. 23, 2022 11:00 AM EDT

FILE - Nigeria players walk off the court after their loss in the women's basketball preliminary round game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. FIBA-Nigeria, basketball's world governing body, confirmed Thursday, June 2, 2022, that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the women's World Cup and warned of "potential disciplinary measures" against the country because of government interference. Nigeria's government announced last month that it was withdrawing all its basketball teams from international competitions for two years while it completely restructures the sport. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Udoka, Ujiri angry over Nigerian basketball dysfunction

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 05, 2022 07:48 PM EDT

FILE - Nigeria players walk off the court after their loss in the women's basketball preliminary round game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. FIBA-Nigeria, basketball's world governing body, confirmed Thursday, June 2, 2022, that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the women's World Cup and warned of "potential disciplinary measures" against the country because of government interference. Nigeria's government announced last month that it was withdrawing all its basketball teams from international competitions for two years while it completely restructures the sport. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
FIBA warns of possible disciplinary action against Nigeria

By Gerald Imray Jun. 02, 2022 08:17 AM EDT

Italy's head coach Meo Sacchetti reacts during men's basketball preliminary round game between Italy and Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Italy advances to Olympic quarterfinals, tops Nigeria 80-71

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 31, 2021 02:29 AM EDT

Nigeria's Caleb Agada (3) blocks a shot by Australia's Joe Ingles during a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Mills leads Australia past Nigeria, 84-67 in Olympic opener

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 25, 2021 08:00 AM EDT

Argentina's Luis Scola (4) drives the ball against United States' Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an exhibition basketball game in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
'Don't look old': At 41, ageless Scola set for 5th Olympics

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 24, 2021 01:36 AM EDT

United States' Jerami Grant, left, and Spain's Sergio Rodriguez (6) battle for the ball during the second half of an exhibition basketball game in preparation for the Olympics, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
US players learning differences between Olympic hoops, NBA

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 23, 2021 11:12 AM EDT

United States coach Gregg Popovich calls to his team during an exhibition basketball game against Nigeria, Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Loss to Nigeria may become learning tool for USA Basketball

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 11, 2021 03:35 PM EDT

United States' Damian Lillard (6) defends the ball against Nigeria during an exhibition basketball game Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Shocker: US falls to Nigeria 90-87 in pre-Olympic opener

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 10, 2021 10:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2019, file photo, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown gestures during an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Francisco. Brown is the coach of the Nigerian men’s Olympic basketball team this summer, and that team starts preparations for the Tokyo Games with training camp beginning this weekend in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
As Olympics near, Warriors' Brown eager for Nigerian chance

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 18, 2021 01:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, Minnesota Timberwolves' Luol Deng in action suring an NBA basketball game, in Minneapolis, USA. The two-time NBA All Star, who became president of the South Sudan basketball federation after retiring as a player last year, Luol Deng wants to build up basketball in his native South Sudan that may mean him coaching the national team himself, as they prepare to play against Mali upcoming Saturday Nov. 28 2020. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, FILE)
Retired NBA player Deng coaches South Sudan at tournament

Nov. 27, 2020 10:47 AM EST

Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (39) during the first half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Silver to CNN: A later NBA season may disrupt Olympic plans

By Tim Reynolds Sep. 22, 2020 03:16 PM EDT

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts toward officials during the second half of his team's NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in San Francisco, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Kerr, Nurse among NBA coaches wondering about Olympic plans

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 10, 2020 02:36 AM EDT