The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced that Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, D’Tigress, will face the Los Angeles Sparks in a high-profile international preseason exhibition game on April 25, 2026, at Viejas Arena.
The fixture, staged in San Diego, is part of D’Tigress’ global campaign and forms a key component of their preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. It also represents a historic first meeting between the Nigerian side and one of the most decorated franchises in the WNBA.
According to the NBBF in a press release issued on Tuesday, the encounter signals Nigeria’s growing integration into the global basketball ecosystem while reinforcing its status as Africa’s leading force in women’s basketball.
Federation president Musa Kida described the game as more than just a preseason outing, noting that it reflects the team’s steady rise and the global respect it has earned through years of dominance and consistency.
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“This game is more than a preseason fixture. It is a statement of intent,” the President said.
“D’Tigress have earned global respect through years of dominance, discipline, and consistency. Competing against a premier WNBA franchise further validates our position and showcases Nigerian excellence on the world stage,” he added.
D’Tigress head into the clash as multiple AfroBasket champions and the highest-ranked women’s team on the continent, underlining a sustained period of success that has seen the program evolve into one of the most structured and competitive in international basketball.
The federation has continued to focus on building a high-performance system that integrates both home-based and diaspora talent, ensuring the team remains competitive on the world stage
The United States tour, which includes the game against the Sparks, is part of a broader strategy designed to enhance player development and global exposure.
The program features elite player integration, international exhibition games, and tactical preparations aimed at strengthening the team ahead of major tournaments. It also includes community engagement initiatives and media activities intended to expand Nigeria’s basketball footprint internationally.
The NBBF noted that the showcase aligns with its wider commercial vision, backed by partnerships with organisations such as XE Jet and other corporate stakeholders. These collaborations, the federation said, are helping to improve player welfare, boost international visibility, and support the long-term development of basketball in Nigeria.
Following the April 25 encounter, D’Tigress are expected to continue their preparations with additional training camps and exhibition matches as they build towards a crucial competitive calendar in 2026.
The federation reiterated its ambition to establish Nigeria as a global powerhouse in women’s basketball, emphasising that the team represents not only sporting excellence but a broader movement driving the growth of the game across the continent.
“Nigeria is not just participating, we are building toward becoming a global force in women’s basketball. D’Tigress represent more than a team; they represent a legacy, a movement, and a continent rising,” the NBBF declared.
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