During the contest between Nigeria and Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Team Nigeria's Jahlil Okafor raises his hands. After being dismissed by the Brooklyn Nets, Okafor has become a free agent.
The Brooklyn Nets of the NBA confirmed Thursday night in a press release that experienced Nigerian center Jahlil Okafor had been released.
Okafor was acquired from the Detroit Pistons along with Sekou Doumbouya in the transaction that sent DeAndre Jordan to the Nets last week. Okafor played for Nigeria's D'Tigers in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Okafor, the third overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, spent last season in Detroit, where he averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in a relatively restricted role (12.9 minutes) in 27 games. Since entering the NBA out of Duke University in 2015, the big man has also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Okafor's release was inevitable since the Nets had more than 15 guaranteed contracts and were overloaded in the frontcourt after signing LaMarcus Aldridge and agreeing to terms with Paul Millsap.
The Nets will have 15 players under contract once Millsap is officially signed.
Because NBA clubs may bring up to 20 players to training camp, the Nets might make late additions, even if they aren't projected to make the 17-man roster for the regular season.
Meanwhile, Okafor, who is now a free agent, maybe taken off waivers by any club that meets the minimum salary requirement. If he goes unclaimed, he will pass waivers on Saturday and become an unrestricted free agent.
Tokyo Olympics: Nigeria name final squads for basketball teams in the coming competition
The final list of Nigerian basketball players to compete in the men's and women's categories at the Tokyo Olympics has been released.
The coaches of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Tigress unveiled their final rosters of 12 players each on Tuesday.
After being chosen to the final 12-man roster, Jahlil Okafor (Detroit Pistons) and Miye Oni (Utah Jazz) are all ready to make their Nigerian debuts.
Ekpe Udoh, who has just completed a move to Virtus Bologna in the Italian Serie A, will be part of the group that won two historic games against the United States.
With less than a week until the start of the basketball tournament, the D'Tigers are rated fourth in the current power rankings supplied by analysts.
The D'Tigers are in the same group as Italy, Australia, and Germany.
Adaora Elonu, Aisha Balarabe, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Atonye Nyingifa, Ezinne Kalu, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, and Ify Ibekwe were all cast as the D'Tigress.
Coach Otis Hughley selected Oderah Chidom, Victoria Macaulay, Erica Ogwumike, and Amy Okonkwo to round up the D'Tigress squad for the trip to Tokyo.
The four players are likely to make their competitive debuts for Nigeria during the games.
D'Tigress began their Olympic preparations in February, playing a series of tune-up games as they prepare to participate in the Olympics against the United States, France, and host Japan.
According to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the ladies' five-month training period is the longest in the team's history.
Read More:
No comments:
Post a Comment