HISTORY: How D’Tigress Rose to 8th in Latest FIBA Women’s World Ranking

African champions, Nigeria’s D’Tigress have climbed three places to 8th in the world in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings (August 2025), strengthening their claim and status as the Queens of African basketball and global standard-bearers for the continent.

With 640.1 points, the reigning AfroBasket champions remain the only African team in the global Top 10, leapfrogging Brazil (9th) and Serbia (10th) after a remarkable run of dominance both in Africa and on the international stage.

Queens of Africa: D’Tigress’ Dynasty

D’Tigress have built a dynasty unmatched in African women’s basketball:

• 7-time AfroBasket champions (2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)

• First African team in history to win five straight AfroBasket titles

• First African team to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games (Paris 2024)

Under the guidance of Coach Rena Wakama, Nigeria recently clinched their 7th AfroBasket crown in Côte d’Ivoire, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final.

That win not only reaffirmed their continental dominance but also sealed qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

D’Tigress Historic Rise on the Global Stage

D’Tigress announced themselves as a global powerhouse at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they shocked traditional heavyweights Australia and Canada to reach the quarterfinals, an historic first for any African women’s basketball team.

Their sustained success has made Nigeria the face of African women’s basketball, inspiring a new generation while proving they can compete with the very best in the world.

FIBA Global Rankings Snapshot – August 2025

1. USA – 880.9 (0)

2. Australia – 719.6 (0)

3. France – 719.2 (0)

4. China – 712.7 (0)

5. Belgium – 702.1 (+1)

6. Spain – 698.2 (−1)

7. Canada – 661.6 (0)

8. Nigeria – 640.1 (+3)

9. Brazil – 637.8 (+1)

10. Serbia – 615.2 (−2)

11. Japan – 613.3 (−2)

12. Germany – 602.4 (+1)

13. Mali – 343.7 (+6)

14. South Sudan – 151.3 (+31) ⬆ (World’s biggest movers)

 FIBA Africa Women’s Rankings – August 2025

1. Nigeria – World Rank: 8 | Points: 640.1 | Movement: +3

2. Mali – World Rank: 18 | Points: 343.7 | Movement: +6

3. Senegal – World Rank: 25 | Points: 295.5 | Movement: +2

4. Mozambique – World Rank: 32 | Points: 239.3 | Movement: 0

5. Cameroon – World Rank: 35 | Points: 224.2 | Movement: +7

6. Egypt – World Rank: 43 | Points: 185.3 | Movement: −6

7. Côte d’Ivoire – World Rank: 50 | Points: 164.3 | Movement: +3

8. Angola – World Rank: 51 | Points: 160.2 | Movement: −5

9. Uganda – World Rank: 53 | Points: 152.7 | Movement: −1

10. South Sudan – World Rank: 55 | Points: 151.3 | Movement: +31

11. Rwanda – World Rank: 72 | Points: 108.1 | Movement: −7

12. Kenya – World Rank: 78 | Points: 98 | Movement: −10

13. DR Congo – World Rank: 80 | Points: 93.5 | Movement: −5

14. Guinea – World Rank: 94 | Points: 67.8 | Movement: −3

15. Cape Verde – World Rank: 98 | Points: 62 | Movement: −5

16. Zimbabwe – World Rank: 99 | Points: 61 | Movement: −1

17. Tunisia – World Rank: 101 | Points: 59.6 | Movement: −2

18. Zambia – World Rank: 112 | Points: 37.3 | Movement: 0

19. Central African Republic – World Rank: 113 | Points: 35.4 | Movement: −4

20. Burundi – World Rank: 114 | Points: 33.7 | Movement: +1

21. Gabon – World Rank: 118 | Points: 27.8 | Movement: −2

Africa’s Standard-Bearers

• Nigeria remain the undisputed No.1 in Africa and now rank 8th in the world.

• Mali (18th) continue their steady climb, remains Africa’s No.2.

• South Sudan (+31) are the surprise of the year, making a giant leap into the continent’s Top 10.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress are not just champions of Africa, they are now firmly among the world’s basketball elite.