Washington Wizard Power forward, Daniel Ochefu has reportedly committed his international future to Nigeria ahead of the 2017 AfroBasket Championship.
Ochefu, 23, who was born in the US by Nigerian parents is open to representing Nigeria and will join D’Tigers camp in Lagos per Sportive.
“It’s a privilege to be invited to this great Nigerian national team and also to represent my fatherland.
“I look forward to playing and making the nation proud by winning the tournament,” the player said.
Meanwhile, D’Tigers get their title defence underway next month against group A opponent, Ivory Coast.
The story for Ochefu right now is simply hard work. He’s back in summer league action after spending the 2016-17 season with the Wizards. The big man played in 19 regular-season games and averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 3.9 minutes a night. Ochefu also made four appearances during the postseason.
Despite limited playing time throughout the season, the 6-11 center has shown growth in Vegas. Ochefu posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Wizards’ 91-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Sin City last Saturday. He also added five blocks and three assists in 30 minutes.
Ochefu followed that performance up with six points on 3-for-3 shooting and two boards in 20 minutes during a 91-87 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.
“I’m a guy that deserves to be on the roster for the rest of the year next year and got better over the summer,” Ochefu said of what he hopes to show the Wizards. “I’m just gonna continue working.”
Other teams drawn in the group are Mali and Democratic Republic of Congo.
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