By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 31, 2024

A resounding 2024 Olympics campaign saw the Nigeria senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, move up four spots from 12th to 8th in the latest FIBA working rankings released on Thursday, August 29 in Switzerland.

Nigeria, who retained their number one in Africa, France, and Germany headlined climbers as the USA proudly retained top spot after taking gold at the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024, while several other nations also secured rises off the back of their great work at the showpiece event.

The West African giants, who jumped four places and into the top 10 of the rankings, sealed a rookie Group Phase victory, racked up two wins for the first time, and also became the first African nation (men or women) to compete in the quarterfinals at the Olympics.

D’Tigress found early momentum for their historic accomplishments by beating Australia on opening day in Lille, but their opponents recovered impressively to take the bronze medal. Now the Opals can also celebrate moving up to second place in the rankings.

France leapt four places and into third spot after their captivating run to the final. Roared on by the passionate home fans, they only lost by a solitary point to the USA as they attained a silver medal to equal their best ever result at the Games.

Germany also made history and rolled into the quarterfinals on their Olympic debut, having amassed two Group Phase wins. As a result, they have rocketed up eight places and into 13th place in the rankings.

Another accomplishment came from Serbia, who were also Quarter-Finals participants at Paris 2024. They have improved their standing in the rankings with an upward move from 10th to 9th place.

There were also movers from those teams who were successful at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in Mexico and Rwanda.

As well as grabbing a ticket for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifiers after winning the competition in Mexico City, Czechia are now 21st after climbing two places.

Also, Hungary won the competition in Kigali, and they move up one place to 15th in the rankings.

There was also some consolation for the host nation, Rwanda, who accomplished the biggest jump in the Top 100 for their efforts in the Pre-Qualifying Tournament. They soar 12 places to 62nd.

Korea, who reached the final in Mexico, has won almost 4 points. The only reason the team is not moving up is because of Germany’s impressive rise at the same time.

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 31, 2024

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