D’Tigress Break Into World’s Top Eight in Latest FIBA Rankings

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have reached a historic milestone, climbing to 8th place in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings their highest-ever position and the first time any African side has entered the global top 10.

The team, who moved up from 11th with 640.1 ranking points, cemented their rise after winning a fifth consecutive AfroBasket Women’s Championship in July, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final. The result extended their unbeaten run in the competition to a decade.

Reacting to the news on Thursday, head coach Rena Wakama said the ranking was proof that Nigeria could compete with the best in the world.

“This is a proud moment for Nigerian basketball and for Africa,” Wakama said. “We have worked hard, stayed consistent, and shown that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the traditional powerhouses of the game.”

Captain Ezinne Kalu, who has been part of all five AfroBasket triumphs since 2015, said the achievement would inspire the next generation.

“Being ranked 8th in the world is a dream, but it’s also a challenge,” she said. “It tells young girls in Nigeria and across Africa that nothing is impossible if you put in the work.”

The United States remain top of the FIBA rankings with 880.9 points, followed by Australia, France, China, and Belgium. Nigeria are now ahead of basketball nations like Brazil, Serbia, and Spain in the updated standings.

Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) president Musa Ahmadu-Kida said the ranking vindicates the team’s long-term planning.

“This is not luck it’s the result of commitment, investment, and believing in our players and coaching staff,” he said. “We will keep pushing to break more records.”

The D’Tigress will now turn their attention to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers, where they will look to build on their momentum and test themselves against the world’s elite.