The Nigerian senior women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, has once again solidified its status as a global powerhouse, maintaining its elite position in the most recent FIBA Women’s World Rankings. According to the latest data released by the International Basketball Federation, the Rena Wakama-led squad earned a formidable total of 700.3 points, ensuring their continued presence among the sport’s upper echelon. This ranking confirms Nigeria’s undisputed reign as the premier basketball nation in Africa and distinguishes them as the sole representative from the continent to feature within the prestigious global top 10.
The retention of this high-ranking status follows the team’s rigorous campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament held in Lyon, France. Competing against some of the world’s most disciplined rosters, the African champions showcased their resilience and tactical growth under Wakama’s tutelage. Throughout the high-stakes qualifying window, D’Tigress navigated a challenging schedule, ultimately concluding the tournament with a record of two victories and three defeats, a performance that proved sufficient to protect their standing on the world stage.
While the United States of America continues to hold the pinnacle of the rankings in first place, Nigeria’s consistency remains a significant narrative for international basketball. The gap between D’Tigress and their continental rivals continues to widen, reflecting the successful long-term development and professionalization of the Nigerian women’s game. For Wakama, the focus now shifts toward internalizing the lessons learned in Lyon as the team prepares for the next phase of international competition.
As the basketball world looks ahead to the upcoming global championships, the “Green and White” remain a symbol of African excellence, proving that their top-ten status is no longer a surprise but a standard. The latest point accumulation reflects not just recent match results, but the sustained quality of a roster that has dominated AfroBasket for nearly a decade. With the 700.3-point milestone secured, the focus remains on closing the deficit with the top-five nations as they head into the next international window.
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