D’Tigress make history as first African team to break into FIBA top 10

The Nigeria Senior Women’s Basketball Te\am, D’Tigress, has soared to 8th place in the world following a stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This impressive leap of four spots cements their status among the top 10 teams globally, making them the first African team—male or female—to achieve this milestone in the FIBA world rankings. […]

The Nigeria Senior Women’s Basketball Te\am, D’Tigress, has soared to 8th place in the world following a stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This impressive leap of four spots cements their status among the top 10 teams globally, making them the first African team—male or female—to achieve this milestone in the FIBA world rankings.

D’Tigress’ historic rise was fuelled by their outstanding Olympic campaign, which featured several notable achievements.

The team had secured two wins from three games for the first time to become the first African side (either male or female) to compete in the quarter-finals at the Olympics.

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They had started with a landmark victory against Australia in their opening game, winning 75-62 to mark their first Olympic win in 20 years as well as a brilliant performance against France.

Even though D’Tigress lost 54-75 in their second game to hosts France in Lille, they surged back to beat Canada 79-70 and qualify for the quarter-finals from Group B which made them the first African team to advance to the Olympic basketball quarter-finals.

Although they were defeated by the United States in the quarter-finals, D’Tigress’ remarkable performance earned their head coach, Rena Wakama, the accolade of best coach of the women’s basketball event.

The top five teams in women’s basketball remain the United States (Olympic champions), Australia, France, China, and Spain. D’Tigress’ groundbreaking achievement solidifies their position as six-time AfroBasket champions and a rising powerhouse in global women’s basketball.

The U.S. remains at the top of the FIBA rankings after winning their 10th Olympic gold medal, with 883.3 points. France climbed four places to third after an impressive run to the final, narrowly losing to the U.S.

Germany made a historic Olympic debut, reaching the quarter-finals and jumping eight places to 13th. Serbia also reached the quarter-finals, moving from 10th to 9th.

Czechia and Hungary advanced in the rankings after winning Pre-Qualifying Tournaments for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, with Czechia moving to 21st and Hungary to 15th.

Rwanda achieved the biggest jump, rising 12 places to 62nd, while South Korea remained steady despite earning more points.