Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie is making arrangements to play for the Nigerian men’s basketball team, he confirmed on Saturday. Shams Charania of The Athletic was first to report the news.
Dinwiddie was not among the 44 players who USA Basketball named as finalists for the Olympic team in February.
Sources: Nets‘ Spencer Dinwiddie is acquiring a Nigerian passport to play for the Nigeria national team. Dinwiddie didn’t receive Team USA Olympic invite; now joins Nigeria roster under Mike Bown that includes Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu, Ekpe Udoh.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2020
After Charania reported the news on Saturday, Dinwiddie quickly confirmed the report by tweeting, “Well now y’all know lol”.
Well now y’all know lol https://t.co/7FnFAMIbVt
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) April 18, 2020
Dinwiddie will join several other NBA players on the Nigerian team, which is coached by Warriors assistant Mike Brown. Dinwiddie’s teammates will include Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Ekpe Udoh.
Nigeria has already clinched a spot in the Olympics by winning Group M at the FIBA World Championships.
Dinwiddie was having a career season before the NBA season was put on hold, averaging 20.6 points, 6.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds through 64 games.
