Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike was notified by FIBA that her petition to play for her native Nigeria in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics was denied due to substantial involvement of more than 10 years with Team USA, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Ogwumike is exploring all her options, including a possible application to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, sources said. The court could expedite a full hearing if both sides agree. FIBA could also allow Ogwumike to participate until there is a hearing.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation filed an appeal to FIBA on behalf of Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams, the Atlanta Dream center who was also denied because of previous involvement with Team USA. The Federation wrote that Ogwumike and Williams were two of the top players that would have made our team one of the strongest at the Games.
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Three Ogwumike sisters are on the threshold of history after the sisters were listed in the 15-woman provisional list submitted to the
Number one overall draft in 2012, 2016 WNBA Most Valuable Player and current Los Angeles Sparks power forward, Nneka Ogwumike, has been pencilled down alongside Chinenye Ogwumike who had previously represented the United States of America at the U-18 and U-19 categories.
Erica completes the list of the Ogwumike sisters who may be making history as siblings playing for the same national team at the Olympic Games.
Team captain, Adaora Elonu, who has also been named as the Assistant Captain of Team Nigeria to the Olympics, is among the regular faces in the 15-woman provisional list.
2dJonathan Selvaraj
Nneka, Chiney, Erica Ogwumike, all listed on Nigeria s provisional roster, could play in Olympics together, something the family would be very proud of
Sisters Nneka, Chiney and Erica Ogwumike are listed on the provisional roster for Nigeria s women s basketball team, the country s federation announced Tuesday on Twitter. It s possible they all could make the 12-player roster for Nigeria in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, although Nneka and Chiney are still awaiting official FIBA clearance. It s something I know my family would be very proud of, Nneka Ogwumike told ESPN Tuesday. For it to happen would be such a blessing. To be able to do something big for a big part of our heritage would be fantastic. I m hoping it will contribute to the growth we re experiencing for Africa in basketball.
Ogwumike three sisters eye history with Nigeria at the Olympics
After weeks of camping, DâTigers Head Coach, Mike Brown, has pruned the 49-man list to 15 ahead of the friendly series lined up for the team just before the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 15-man list is made up of eight NBA stars headlined by Detroit Piston Centre, Jahlil Okafor who is in line to make his international debut for Nigeria.
Miami Heatâs trio of Gabe Vincent, Chikezie âKZâ Okpala and 2020 NBA draft pick, Precious Achiuwa have also been pencilled down for the last phase of preparation with Utah Jazzâs Miye Oni.
Amukamara confident D Tigress will shine at Tokyo Olympics dailytrust.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailytrust.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.