The endless stream of talents Nigeria regularly produces means that the final roster has to be achieved through hard work.
This is something Abdul Yahaya understands very well after playing for the national team at various times in AfroBasket and in the 3x3 national teams.
Ahead of the AfroBasket 2021 qualifiers, which will see Nigeria compete alongside Mali, Rwanda and Algeria in Group D, Yahaya believes Nigeria has enough talent at home and abroad to qualify for the AfroBasket.
As cited by Sports Central, the 30-year old said: "We just have to prepare early. I recall that the team that went for AfroCan 2019 only had just two days to prepare for the tournament. You can't just expect the guys to prepare in two days and perform wonders. "I know the players from home are talented enough to get the job done. In the history of basketball in the country, it has always been the job of the home-based players to qualify the country for AfroBasket.
He continued: "Nigeria is the best team in Africa. I mean, go check FIBA rankings. Numbers don't lie but other countries are not sleeping. Senegal, for instance, will be a force to reckon with because they have invested so much into basketball lately.
Regarding the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will take place in 2021, Yahaya is confident that the Nigerian men's and women's team will come a long way given they have players all over the world.
He said: "At the Olympics, I am confident that our men and women teams will be a team to be reckoned with. They cannot be taken for granted because Nigeria have world-class players everywhere and they will come home to represent us. Additionally, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has assembled tested coaches to work with the teams and that on its own speaks volumes.
The 2.02m (6ft 8in) forward, who recently joined Abidjan Basketball Club, explained his departure from Rivers Hoopers based on his experience in launching the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
He explained: "My leaving my former club wasn't anything personal. I just wanted a change of environment. I wanted to be in an environment where I can play competitive basketball consistently. That's how I get myself in shape to compete against other players from other countries in Africa. "As far as the introduction of BAL, it will not only help just the local players alone but it will help improve the game of basketball in the continent of Africa in general. We've never had anything like this before in Africa and it pleases me what the fallout would be in a few years to come. It's a dream come true for me. "Growing up, I've always wanted to compete against the best players in Africa. Though Rivers Hoopers did not finish on the medals table when I played for them, we got to learn a couple of things from the experiences. They need to work on their weakness and emerge as contenders.
Based on his experience with the national team, he says young athletes should be given a conscious attention in order to nurture them into graduating to senior national teams at all levels.
Speaking on the effect of the lockdown, Yahaya confesses that: "The coronavirus lockdown has taken its toll on everyone physically, emotionally and mentally but I try not to focus on the dark side. I just try to think positive and stay positive.
