Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has risen to 8th in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings, propelled by their historic performance at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan.

This marks a significant leap from their previous 11th position, solidifying their status as Africa’s basketball powerhouse.

Announced on Thursday, the updated rankings reflect Nigeria’s climb of three spots to 8th with 640.1 points, making them the only African team ever to break into the global top 10.

Their dominant 78–64 victory over opponents in the AfroBasket final secured their seventh title and extended their unbeaten streak to 29 games since 2015.

The United States retains the top spot with 880.9 points, followed by Australia (719.6) and France (719.2). China (712.7) and Belgium (702.1) round out the top five, with Spain, Canada, and now Nigeria completing the top eight.

The ranking boost comes just a few weeks after D’Tigress etched their name in African basketball history by winning a fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown, a feat no men’s or women’s team on the continent had ever achieved.

The win marked their seventh AfroBasket title overall and extended their incredible unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games, a streak dating back to 2015.

Lithuania, returning to the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket for the first time in ten years and reaching the quarter-finals, climbed an impressive 14 places to 31st.

One of the most captivating stories came from South Sudan, which, on its AfroBasket Women debut, stormed to a historic third-place finish.

Elsewhere, Lebanon surged 13 spots to 41st, while Indonesia jumped 19 places to 60th after their outing at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025.

Iran also enjoyed a 15-place boost to 44th, and Mongolia made a 20-place climb to 70th following their performance in Division B of the same tournament. (The PUNCH)