Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie plans to acquire a Nigerian passport and represent the country in the Olympics, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Dinwiddie’s decision comes after he was left off the list of 44 finalists for Team USA that was released in February.
Dinwiddie will join several other NBA players on the Nigerian team, which is coached by Warriors assistant Mike Brown. Dinwiddie’s teammates will include Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Ekpe Udoh. Nigeria has already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics as the highest-ranked African team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The addition of Dinwiddie will bring some extra firepower to an already-strong team. He was averaging career highs with 20.6 points and 6.8 assists through 64 games before the NBA season was put on hold.
Brown, who was named as Nigeria’s head coach in February, talked recently to Marc J. Spears of The Athletic about the advantages of having the games postponed until 2021.
“It helps from the standpoint of there are a lot of teams that have been together … the players, especially. A lot of countries have players who have grown up playing together on national teams or All-Star teams,” Brown said. “There are a lot of coaches out there that are in charge of programs that they have been a part of for many years. To have another year to grasp, not only the talent level of the team, but the direction the team needs to go and making sure we are able to put the best Nigerian team out there, it’s a welcomed advantage to have a little bit more time for a new guy like myself.”
In which world does Dinwiddie thinks he can make Team USA!!! Talk about having a huge ego! Dude you ain’t a top 50 player in the league & you will never be, just a decent bench guy, which is cool, but you no star!
Where in this article says Dinwiddie thinks he can make it?
Exactly. Someone clearly didn’t read the article properly
He’s a good starter but pretends he’s a Star.
He’s a lot better than you think.
Much better players than him have been left out & they are not whining about it! For example Ice Trae he is one of the superstars of the league, he ain’t invited, he ain’t crying, he is sooo much better than Dinwiddie that you can’t even mention them together. At the end of the day that shows Young to be a real humble dude & Dinwiddie, well… not so much!
He’s not crying about it, he’s saying he would have played for America first, for people who would say, unpatriotic. Recognize the level.
Dinwiddie SWEARS he’s a star and deserves everything!
That’s why he’s playing for Nigeria El Don!
The Olympic team includes leftovers from the WC team.
Dins is good for any role including starter.
The “decent bench guy” moniker is an obsolete view in light of his continual improvement when most talents just serve themselves.
Top 50, when only 15 at most will play, is a mixed honor… Good for him to get on the court in a legacy-type alternative.
How does he qualify he was born in LA? Is it based on a parent?
THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!
Exactly. What kind of article is this? Doesn’t even explain how an American can just apply for a Nigerian passport for whatever.
He probably has to establish a residence/buy property there.
THANK YOU SO F’N MUCH!
I dont think he thought he’d make the US team, but he def could have gotten an invite. Hes not bad. Maybe not getting that chance gave him the Olympic bug and he decided to go for it.
Dinwiddie Okogie Aminu Merih and Udoh, that’s a decent line up for an international side.
Spencer is a star and can carry this team. Okogie would love the chance to be a second option, Aminu is a vet that’s proven himself as solid and then you have two young skilled bigs
Nigeria also have Miami Heat 2 way contracted Gabe Vincent. Plus they could have the Antetokumpo brothers if Greece isn’t in the Olympics. Plus Festus Ezeli
IDK, Vincent has a regular name. May not qualify!
I would think Cameroon would be the best African team if its NBA players played. You could have a starting lineup of Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam and his brother, Luc Mbah A’ Moute, and DJ Strawberry (father is Darryl, mother is from Cameroon; he’s been playing internationally). I’m not sure how good the bench would be, but that’s a formidable starting lineup.
Cameron would be nice with Embiid Siakim and Moute at the 5-4-3 positions.
However Nigeria could have Victor Oladipo (Nigeria parents) and all the Antetokumpo brothers (if Greece doesn’t make the Olympics, Nigerian parents).
Nigeria could have Dinwiddie Oladipo Okogie Giannas and Ezeli, then Vincent Aminu Metu and Udoh off the bench
Greece still havent qualified yet, they have to do a tournament and get past China and Canada
Why on earth would Giannis ever play for Nigeria??? He has always said he is Greek & will play for Greece! People overstate the importance of the Olympics, yeah players would like to play in them, but not to the extent of betraying their countries, well at least the great players, probably the ones that they will never have the ability to be there they might try anything!
Which Olympics?
I’m sorry how? Can I also get a Nigerian passport and try to make that team? Is there a parent? A Grandparent?
Do you understand how ancestry works.
Do you understand how journalism works? There was no mention of how he qualified.
I guess not. If you do, please elaborate. In as many words as possible.
Is he even Nigerian?
Nigerian Passport?
Ummm don’t you get a Passport for the country you were born in?