Precious Achiuwa
United States head coach Gregg Popovich looks on during a men's basketball practice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, July 22, 2021. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Mind the gap: The basketball world is catching up to the US

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 24, 2021 06:51 AM 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 Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 file photo, The Golden State Warriors first round draft pick, Ike Diogu from Arizona State, poses for the team photographer at Media Day at their headquarters in downtown Oakland, Calif. USA. The 2005 NBA Draft had its share of international players, but Ike Diogu was the lone Nigerian-American, but now fifteen years later, Nigerians are setting records. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas, File)
Former NBA lottery pick saw wave of Nigerian players coming

By Ken Maguire Nov. 27, 2020 08:09 AM EST