In March 2021, the global governing body FIBA ranked Nigeria as Africa's top men's basketball nation.

Since the mid-1990s, the team has enjoyed unprecedented success, due to an increasing amount of talents from Nigeria as well as an orchestrated recruitment of American college and professional players of Nigerian descent.

Team Nigeria usually plays its home games at the 3,000-capacity Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos.

They finished the group play with a 1–4 record, with their lone victory coming against Tunisia in their Olympics debut.

[6] The team's roster, assembled by coach Ayodele Bakare, primarily comprised former college basketball players.

[citation needed] The team entered the 2016 games with several injured players and little financial support from the Nigerian government.

2009 African Championship: finished 5th among 16 teams Akin Akingbala, Aloysius Anagonye, Chamberlain Oguchi, Deji Akindele, Michael Efevberha, Michael Umeh, Josh Akognon, Ebi Ere, Ejike Ugboaja, Gabe Muoneke, Jayson Obazuaye, Benson Egemonye (Coach: John Lucas II) 2011 African Championship: finished 3rd among 16 teams Solomon Tat, Ime Udoka, Abubakar Usman, Chinedu Onyeuku, Ike Ofoegbu, Michael Umeh, Stanley Gumut, Derrick Obasohan, Ejike Ugboaja, Ezenwa Ukeagu, Jayson Obazuaye, Olumide Oyedeji (Coach: Ayo Bakare) 2012 Summer Olympics: finished 10th among 12 teams Tony Skinn, Ekene Ibekwe, Ike Diogu, Al-Farouq Aminu, Ade Dagunduro, Chamberlain Oguchi, Koko Archibong, Richard Oruche, Ejike Ugboaja, Derrick Obasohan, Alade Aminu, Olumide Oyedeji (Coach: Ayo Bakare) 2020 Olympic roster: A 15-player roster was announced on 6 July 2021.