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Former Nigerian basketball player, Olumide Oyedeji has expressed his concerns about the controversy surrounding the composition of the senior National teams.
Oyedeji argued that the origins of a player should not determine their eligibility to represent Nigeria.
The ongoing debate centers around the perception that the Nigeria basketball team is predominantly reserved for players who come from overseas or have experience playing in the United States.
“The national team is the national team, but for me, regardless of where you come from, as long as you’re Nigerian, they shouldn’t deprive you of the privilege,” Oyedeji told BRL.
He emphasized that the inclusion of players from overseas should not impede the progress of basketball in Nigeria.
“It’s not a crime for you to live in Nigeria. It’s not a crime for you to stay in Nigeria. It’s not a crime for you to be born in Nigeria,” he asserted.
Drawing from his personal experience, the former Center who also played in the NBA, stressed that he had the opportunity to develop within Nigeria, ultimately taking his game to the next level.