The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have appointed former NBA coach David Fizdale as its new head coach of the men’s senior basketball team, D’Tigers as the country begins preparations for qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Fizdale confirmed his appointment in an interview with ESPN Andscape, describing the opportunity as a special moment in his coaching career.

The American coach previously worked as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks in the NBA before working as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns from 2023 to 2025. He currently serves as an analyst on NBA TV.

Speaking about his new role, Fizdale said the chance to lead Nigeria back to the Olympics, especially in his hometown of Los Angeles, strongly influenced his decision.

It will be fun and exciting calling timeouts and drawing plays up again as a head coach,” Fizdale said.

“What is driving me the most is helping Nigeria not only qualify and medal, but to do that in front of my family. That would be the most special thing.”

David Fizdale also confirmed that former D’Tigers coach Mike Brown, the current head coach of the New York Knicks influenced his decision to take the job.

I’m super excited. I have Mike Brown to thank, who coached the team before and the year they beat the U.S. in the qualifiers and played in Japan,” Fizdale said.

“After some good talks and going back-and-forth, we agreed that I was going to try to take the team to qualify.”

The former NBA coach is expected to use his influence to convince a good number of players of Nigerian descent (Ayo Dosunmu, OG Anunoby, Desmond Bane, Precious Achiuwa, Josh Okogie, Gabe Vincent) among others to play for the country.

Nigeria’s qualification journey will begin at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Luanda, where D’Tigers are expected to face Angola, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda.

Nigeria has appeared at the Olympic Games three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2020, without a podium finish.