D’Tigress fell to a 74-88 defeat against World number one, USA, in Wednesday’s quarter-final at the ongoing Olympics in Paris.

The African champions made history by securing their first Olympic win in 20 years and becoming the first African team, to reach the Olympic quarter-finals.

Victories against world number 3 Australia in their opening match and Canada, ranked world number 4, raised the Team’s profile globally.

In spite of Team USA’s dominance in the game, D’Tigress ended their journey on a high note, outscoring the defending champions in the 4th Quarter – Team USA won the previous three quarters.

Nicole Enabosi, Murjanatu Musa and A´ja Wilson battle for the ball during the Women’s Basketball Quarterfinal match of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Speaking after the defeat, coach Rena Wakama believes the Ladies can hold their heads high and predicted a bright future for Nigeria women’s basketball.

Wakama, the first woman coach to win the Afrobasket championship, also called for more support and investment in the Sport back home.

“The future is bright but we’ve got to invest in us, we have to give these girls all the resources and the support for them to be able to get to the podium and get a medal,” said the D’Tigress coach.

“We are capable of it we have the talent, everyone on the team is Nigerian we didn’t have to go get anybody from outside we like other teams we all Nigerian-born and raised we have to invest in the future, invest in sports.”