Josh Okogie inspired Nigeria to finish as Africa’s best team at the World Cup and automatically book a ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Okogie scored a team high 14 points and posted a +24 efficiency rating on Sunday to at the Guangzhou Gymnasium to ensure D’Tigers return to the Asian continent next year.
The result means Iran claimed the lone Asian Olympic qualifying spot available at the tournament, after the Iranians beat the Philippines 95-75, also Sunday.
China will get a last chance to qualify to play at its 10th straight Olympics at a tournament next year, where it likely must go through a higher-ranked European nation.
Nigeria’s win meant that the D’Tigers are going to their third straight Olympics. Nigeria needed to beat China to overtake Tunisia for the lone African Olympic berth available at the World Cup.
Iran and Nigeria join Australia and Japan as the first four teams in the 12-team Olympic field. Four more nations will qualify for the Olympics at this month’s World Cup — two from the Americas and two from Europe.
The last four will be determined next year at those last-chance qualifying tournaments.
Only Australia has played in more consecutive Olympic men’s basketball tournaments on the active list than China.
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