NIGERIA’s ambition to assemble a formidable basketball squad ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a significant boost after four National Basketball Association players reportedly expressed interest in representing D’Tigers following the appointment of David Fizdale as head coach.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, most recently worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025 before taking charge of Nigeria’s men’s national basketball team.
Basketball journalist and scout Coach Hova disclosed that Aaron Nesmith has already committed to representing Nigeria in the next international basketball window.
Confirming the development on X, Hova wrote, “Sources close to me have confirmed that Aaron Nesmith has committed to representing the D’Tigers in the upcoming international basketball window.”
Nesmith, who currently plays for the Indiana Pacers, was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before joining Indiana in 2022.
Hova also revealed that Desmond Bane has begun processing his international switch to Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
“Desmond Bane is committed and already processing his switch to represent D’Tigers ahead of the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.
According to Hova, Bane has also played a major role in encouraging other NBA players of Nigerian heritage, including Nesmith, to join the national team project.
Earlier this year, Bane publicly declared his interest in representing Nigeria during an interview with the BBC in January 2026.
The Orlando Magic guard said he wanted to help unite top Nigerian-eligible basketball players for a serious Olympic challenge.
“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple years and make something happen,” Bane said.
He also disclosed that discussions had already taken place with other players regarding joining D’Tigers.
“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith,” he said.
“Me and Gabe Vincent also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”
Meanwhile, journalist Kehinde Bamidele reported that Onyeka Okongwu remains interested in representing Nigeria under the new head coach.
According to Bamidele, “Okongwu remains interested in representing D’Tigers of Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale.”
The Atlanta Hawks centre reportedly missed out on a previous invitation due to short notice, but discussions are said to be ongoing ahead of the July international basketball window.
Bamidele also disclosed that Ayo Dosunmu has yet to make a final decision on committing to Nigeria, although the new coaching crew are eager to persuade him.
“Ayo Dosunmu is yet to commit to D’Tigers of Nigeria,” Bamidele wrote.
“Fizdale understands that one of his early priorities will be convincing the Wolves guard to represent Nigeria.”
Dosunmu previously represented the United States at youth level, winning gold at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, meaning any potential switch of allegiance could require additional clearance procedures.
Fizdale has already stated that qualifying Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games remains his biggest ambition as D’Tigers coach.
Speaking after his appointment by the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Saturday, Fizdale told ESPN that leading Nigeria to the Olympics in his hometown of Los Angeles would be a career-defining achievement.
Nigeria previously featured in basketball events at the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games but are still searching for their first medal on the global stage.