Nigeria
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 FIBA-Nigeria, basketball's world governing body, confirmed Thursday, June 2, 2022, that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the women's World Cup and warned of "potential disciplinary measures" against the country because of government interference.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 FIBA-Nigeria, basketball's world governing body, confirmed Thursday, June 2, 2022, that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the women's World Cup and warned of "potential disciplinary measures" against the country because of government interference.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

Shannon Abeda, of Eritrea passes a gate during the first run of the men's giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
After dip in Beijing, Olympians ask: What about Africa?

By John Leicester Feb. 16, 2022 02:27 AM EST

Blessing Okagbare, of Nigeria races in a women's 200 meter heat at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Sept. 30, 2019. U.S. prosecutors charged a Texas man on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 with providing performance-enhancing drugs to athletes competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, including Okagbare. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, file)
Texts, pictures lead to 1st doping case under new US law

By Eddie Pells Jan. 13, 2022 02:44 AM EST

From left, silver medalist, Nigeria's Blessing Oborududu, gold medalist, United States Tamyra Marianna Stock Mensah, bronze medalist, Ukraine's Alla Cherkasova and bronze medalist, Kyrgyzstan's Meerim Zhumanazarova celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 68kg Freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Mensah-Stock 1st first Black U.S. woman wrestler to win gold

By Cliff Brunt Aug. 03, 2021 10:40 AM EDT

Nigeria's Erinma Ogwumike (31, left, tries to steal the ball from Japan's Nanako Todo (20) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Japan shoots way into quarters with 102-83 rout of Nigeria

Aug. 01, 2021 10:46 PM EDT

United States' Sue Bird (6) reacts after making a shot during women's basketball preliminary round game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
US women's Olympic hoops team adjusting to styles of play

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 31, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

Serbia's Yvonne Anderson (12) shoots against Spain during a women's basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Hooping for another country can be side door to the Olympics

By Teresa M. Walker Jul. 31, 2021 03:40 AM EDT

France's Endene Miyem (5) celebrates after making a basket during a women's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
France wins first game of Olympics, routs Nigeria 87-62

Jul. 30, 2021 06:11 AM EDT

Nigeria's head coach Otis Hughley Jr gestures during women's basketball preliminary round game between United States of America and Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Where's Ruthie? Nigerian assistant watches US win from hotel

By Teresa M. Walker Jul. 27, 2021 07:49 AM EDT

United States' A'Ja Wilson (9), right, shoots over Nigeria's Victoria Macaulay (25) during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
US women win 50th straight Olympic game, beat Nigeria 81-72

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 27, 2021 03:20 AM EDT

Japan's Saki Hayashi reacts during a women's basketball practice at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
US women favorite to win 7th consecutive gold medal in Japan

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 25, 2021 03:45 AM EDT

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

Nigeria guard Erica Erinma Ogwumike (31) watches the action alongside sisters Chiney Ogwumike, center, and Nneka Ogwumike during the first half of a pre-Olympic exhibition basketball game against the United States in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 18, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Ogwumike's appeal

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 19, 2021 09:33 PM EDT

United States guards Sue Bird (6) and Jewell Loyd (4) gather with teammates during a break while playing Nigeria in the first half of a pre-Olympic exhibition basketball game in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 18, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
US women earn first exhibition win, routing Nigeria 93-62

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 18, 2021 07:27 PM EDT

WNBA basketball player Nneka Ogwumike, of the Los Angeles Sparks, arrives at the world premiere of "Space Jam: A New Legacy" on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Regal L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
AP sources: Ogwumike files appeal to play in Olympics

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 16, 2021 12:40 PM EDT

WNBA basketball player Nneka Ogwumike, of the Los Angeles Sparks, arrives at the world premiere of "Space Jam: A New Legacy" on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Regal L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
AP sources: Ogwumike denied by FIBA to play for Nigeria

By Doug Feinberg Jul. 14, 2021 11:05 PM 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