‘I feel like I have 12 more daughters’ – D’Tigress coach Hughley hails team

Despite their loss to USA in the quarterfinal of the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup, the Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, successfully impressed their coach, Otis Hughley.

The Nigerian ladies fell 71-40 to the number one ranked team and defending champions of the tournament as their hopes of advancing to the semis crashed after the first quarter.

Having begun their campaign with a disappointing loss to Australian, D’Tigress shocked the world by securing three consecutive victories – against Turkey, Argentina and Greece – and became the first African team to reach the last eight.

“I love these girls. I have two biological daughters and I feel like I have 12 more daughters,” Hughley said after his side’s defeat to USA on Friday.

Read Also: Gallant D’Tigress bow to USA in FIBA World Cup quarter-final

“I thought they fought really well in the first half. I think the difference in the game is who shot well. I thought we played exponentially above what we have.

“Our girls dug down until there was nothing left. I’ve never felt so happy after a 31-point loss,” he stated.

Hughley took over the team in August after the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) booted out Sam Vincent, the coach that led the team to triumph at the 2017 AfroBasket.

Meanwhile, following her amazing displays throughout the competition, D’Tigress forward, Evelyn Akhator has been nominated alongside 13 other players for the MVP award at the 2018 FIBA showpiece.

 

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