Utah Jazz Guard Miye Oni, Nigeria Upset Damian Lillard, USA Basketball In Exhibition
Jul 10, 2021, 8:05 PM | Updated: 8:55 pm
Damian Lillard #6 of the United States puts up a shot against Precious Achiuwa #55 and Ike Nwamu #34 of Nigeria during an exhibition game at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz Miye Oni and Team Nigeria upset Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, and USA Basketball in a pre-Olympic Games exhibition.
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Team USA and the Nigerian National Team played at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 10.
It was the USA’s first of five exhibition games prior to Tokyo 2020.
Oni and underdog Team Nigeria stunned the United States, 90-87.
Final. pic.twitter.com/e42cOUTL4T
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2021
“I thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,” Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich said after the loss. “Give them credit.”
The loss comes as a shock to the No. 1 ranked team in FIBA.
After a decade of dominance, Team USA has struggled in recent international play. USA Basketball fell to France in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIBA World Cup and placed seventh at the event.
The United States been on the losing end of contests only 12 games since the “Dream Team” represented the country at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.
NIGERIA BEATS USA!!!! pic.twitter.com/CpdJDQOW4x
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
Miye Oni & Nigeria
Nigeria’s upset was propelled by 20 made three-pointers, including a couple big shots by Oni.
After hanging in with Team USA all game long, the Nigerian National Team took control in the fourth quarter and held on for the three-point victory.
Well ok Miye Oni. pic.twitter.com/IrdpOvHLSE
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 11, 2021
Oni had six points, three rebounds, and two assists in Nigeria’s big win.
Miye Oni had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 11 minutes for Nigeria in their win over Team USA tonight. @UtahJazz | #takenote
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 11, 2021
Gabe Vincent lead Nigeria with 21 points.
21 PTS. 6 3PM. 4 AST.
Gabe Vincent led all scorers in Nigeria's exhibition victory over #USABMNT! pic.twitter.com/HFclF14xvN
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2021
Damian Lillard & USA Basketball
Lillard, a formers star of the Weber State Wildcats, started the contest for the USA.
During the contest, the NBA All-Star connected on a couple of his patented deep three-pointer shots.
Lillard finished with 14 points.
Bump. https://t.co/6wCrl3eGOq pic.twitter.com/aOhZJfr5Rm
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2021
Kevin Durant led Team USA with 17 points and five rebounds in the loss.
USA Basketball’s next exhibition contest is against Australia. Team USA and the Boomers will tip-off on Monday, July 12 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on NBC Sports.
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