Mike Brown won his first game in charge of Nigeria’s men’s national basketball team as D’Tigers mauled South Sudan 76-56 at the Kigali Arena to get their 2021 Afrobasket qualifying campaign in Group D off to a perfect start on Thursday.

Caleb Agada scored 16 points off the bench, sinking 4 from 6 from the 3-point range and finished with a 60% field goal conversion rate. 

Point guard Ike Iroegbu added 13 points, while captain Ike Diogu, Keith Omoerah and Obi Emegano weighed in with 10 points apiece.

Nyang Wek had 10 points for the South Sudanese who were drafted into the tournament after Algeria withdrew.

D’Tigers stormed off the block from tip off and led 22-17 at the end of the first quarter and never looked remotely in danger of relinquishing control as their lead steadily ballooned as they steamrolled their opponents.

An auspicious start for Golden State Warriors Associate Head Coach Brown who was appointed to the post last month sees his team lead the standings ahead of Mali and Rwanda who play later.

Nigeria next play hosts Rwanda on Saturday, 28 November at 7pm Nigerian time.

Twenty teams divided into five groups of four are competing at the Tournament.

The top three teams from each group will automatically qualify to the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 to be held in Rwanda.