Phoenix Suns forward, Chimezie Metu, has confirmed his availability for D’Tigers’ forthcoming FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, scheduled to hold in Lagos in August.

Metu who recently joined the Phoenix Suns where he’ll have the opportunity to play with NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal told Nigeriabasket on Twitter. Guard Ike Ndugba and Texas Legend’s forward EJ Anosike.

Other D’Tigers players in the NBA such as Jordan Nwora, Gabe Vincent, Precious Achiuwa, and Josh Okogie are yet to confirm their availability for the Olympic qualifying tournament. 

While affirming his availability for the Nigeria senior men’s basketball team’s goal of qualifying for the Olympics in 2024 in Paris, Metu who represented Nigeria at the 202 Olympics in Tokyo told NigeriaBasket, “This is one of the most important windows in the history of basketball in Nigeria, I’ll be there ready to go.”

Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda will compete in the qualifying tournament in Lagos. Only one country from the pool of teams playing in Lagos will qualify for the FIBA Olympics Qualifying Tournament proper.