New Orleans Pelicans center, Jahlil Obika Okafor,has decided to switch allegiance to Nigeria after representing USA at the cadets levels.
The big center half who has enjoyed successful period with U16, U17 and U19 teams of USA in the past, decided to represent the West African Country at the summer Olympics game in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old’s decision to represent Nigeria is a major boost for coach D’Tigers, Mike Brown, who has made it clear that the team must be strengthened ahead of the summer’s Olympic inTokyo, Japan.
Meanwhile Okafor also confirmed the development in a statement on his Instagram page, which reads: “Never forget where you come from.”
Born in Chicago, Illinois, the 2.08 metres tall Whitney Young graduate made his NBA draft in 2015 as third overall pick by Philadelphia 76ers and has also played at Brooklyn Nets.
Nigeria who picked Olympics ticket after they beat host nation China 86-73 at the 2019 FIBA World Cup will go head to head with the likes of Argentina, Australia, France, Iran, Japan, Spain and United States in Japan in their bid to become the first African nation to win a medal at the games.
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