D’Tigers Assistant Captain Targets World Cup Place, Seeks To Uncover Basketball Talents

D’Tigers assistant captain Michael Eric has set his sights on helping Nigeria qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, reports Completesports.com.

David Fizdale’s side completed a flawless campaign at the African qualifiers in Luanda, Angola winning all three games.

The impressive turnaround saw Nigeria finish the group phase with a 4-2 record and secure qualification for the second and final round of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

D’Tigers completed a clean sweep in the second window, defeating Tunisia 84-81, edging Guinea 80-79 after a remarkable comeback, and cruising to a commanding 106-62 victory over Rwanda. The three wins helped erase the disappointment of their poor start in the opening window.

Nigeria will now battle Cameroon, South Sudan and Cape Verde for a place at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in August.

“We saw signs of a revival during the last window in Angola, so the outlook going into the next window is very positive,” Eric said.

“We are looking to build an even stronger group, although we already have a number of players who worked with us last year. Coach Fitz has a clear vision for the team and the kind of players he wants.

“There are many talented Nigerian basketball players across the world, so narrowing down the options has not been easy. However, he is doing an excellent job of identifying the right players and bringing the best possible group together.

“The objective is to win all three games in the next window, put ourselves in a strong position and secure qualification without unnecessary pressure.”

Discovering And Nurturing Future Basketball Stars

Before the next round of qualifiers, Eric will stage a talent identification programme, “Michael Eric’s Top 50 Elite Basketball Camp,” in Lagos on Friday, 24 July.

The initiative is being organised under the Erico Sports Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organisation he established in memory of his late father, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and assistant coach Joe Erico, to nurture the next generation of Nigerian basketball talent.

Eric explained that the initiative was inspired by his desire to provide opportunities for young Nigerians who are passionate about basketball but lack access to platforms that can help them develop their talent.

“The journey became about more than just myself. It became about helping those who share the same dream but never had the opportunity to pursue it,” Eric stated.

“Hearing so many inspiring and challenging stories stayed with me and motivated me to create something meaningful for Nigerian youths—not only through basketball, but also through mentorship and by making a lasting impact on the next generation.”

Eric Explains Importance Of Education

Eric, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Temple University in 2012, said education remains a key pillar of the foundation’s mission.

“Education is very important. You can learn many things in school, but education goes beyond that. Basketball is a tool to improve your life but when you are also educated, you can walk into different rooms with confidence, communicate effectively, and create opportunities for yourself beyond sports,” Eric added.

“Our long-term vision is to establish a fully-fledged basketball academy in Nigeria with international affiliations. We also want to secure strong sponsorship partnerships that will help sustain the project and expand its reach.

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“Ultimately, we hope to develop players capable of reaching the NBA while continuing to monitor, mentor and support every child who comes through our programmes. We want to be part of their journey long after they leave the camp.”

Another Path For Discovering Talents

The foundation’s Programme Director, Gbenga Jetawo, said the initiative has been sustained for the past five years through Eric’s personal funding.

According to Jetawo, the programme provides boys and girls aged between 14 and 18 with fundamental basketball training while also equipping them with discipline, leadership qualities and essential life skills that extend beyond the court.

“We teach them the fundamentals of basketball, but our responsibility goes far beyond the game. We mentor them, encourage them and guide them to become better people,” Jetawo said.

“If we discover that a child is passionate about something outside basketball, we encourage them to pursue it as well because our goal is to help them succeed in life, not just in sports.”

He added that the foundation has trained more than 1,000 children since its inception, with several participants earning scholarships to continue their education and basketball careers abroad.

Jetawo explained that the upcoming Michael Eric’s Top 50 Elite Basketball Camp will bring together 50 of the country’s most promising young players, along with their coaches, from academies across Nigeria.

According to him, the objective is to identify exceptional talent and expose the participants to international training standards through intensive drills, skills development sessions and mentorship.

He further said that the foundation will provide about 200 pairs of basketball shoes, jerseys and other training equipment to support the initiative. Outstanding performers from the camp—particularly the top two or three prospects—will also be considered for sponsorship opportunities or trials with clubs in Europe.