Written by: Joe Apu
David Fizdale has set out an ambitious blueprint for Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, insisting that his objective goes beyond qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and extends to competing for a medal, and ultimately victory, at the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The newly appointed D’Tigers head coach has called for a shift in mentality within the squad, urging players to adopt elite standards comparable to perennial champions the United States as Nigeria begins a new rebuild under his leadership.
“We have to make getting to Los Angeles our mission,” he said in an interview with M4S TV, as quoted by ESPN.
Fizdale made clear that reaching the Olympics alone would not satisfy his ambitions, stressing that the team must aim higher than participation and target victory on the global stage.
“That is my ultimate goal, to get this team to those Olympics. And not just get there. I want to win,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for a long-term, disciplined approach rather than short-term targets, insisting that mediocrity at the Olympics would be unacceptable if Nigeria is to progress into an elite basketball nation.
“We can’t set short goals. We can’t just say, ‘Oh, we’re happy to be in the Olympics.’ That is not acceptable. We have to set higher goals. We have to set the same goals as the U.S. team, the same expectations as the U.S. team,” he said.
