Nigeria has been the finish in 2004 since the summer Olympic was expanded to 12 teams in 1996.

Nigeria has been up and doing this year, as the reigning African champion, winner of the past four tournaments it has played, and is 17th in the FIBA world ranking.

Nigeria losing to Team USA in 81-72 still proved a point on the team they are the power they possess which was able to force the U.S into 25 turnovers.

Nigeria’s Head Coach Otis Hughley Jr didn’t care about the people in Vegas but rather about the opportunity to go to the next round.

In his words, “Really excited about the prospects –against the best team in the world, those kids, down 20-plus and cut it to 8 with a couple of missed layups and opportunities to cut it even lower.

We really needed that layup at the end for the point spread. If you come in third, you tie with people, those points can matter, you know?

I don’t care about the people in Vegas; I just care about the opportunity to go to the round”

What team Nigeria played was like starting your boxing career and you’re fighting Muhammad Ali Otis Said.