[DC 86]

I think the rule is to protect against this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/sport...naris.html

Of course, Nneka's situation is different, since her parents are Nigerian, but you could imagine countries basically fielding rent-a-player teams to represent them if you opened it up completely.  I think, for example, that there were limitations on Catarina Macario playing for the USWNT (she was ultimately approved to play by FIFA this year: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/01...-the-uswnt).

BC

FIBA and FIFA have different rules (not always consistent.) In Macario's case she needed to obtain her citizenship and meet a length of residency requirement, but most pertinently she had never represented Brazil, not even at the youth level, so that wasn't a barrier. When players actually represent a country in competition and then apply to switch to a different country it becomes a more involved process.

FIFA is quite liberal in their citizenship requirements; you can represent a country even if your only connection is a single grandparent. However, once you take part in a FIFA tournament for one country you have to go through a more rigorous and lengthy application process to play for a different country. Apparently FIBA is even more stringent but it's the same issue. Perhaps one day they will open a transfer portal.

I think Nneka was hurt by attempting to switch on the eve of the tournament, even if FIBA cited different issues in their decision.

[DC 86]

I think the rule is to protect against this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/sport...naris.html

Of course, Nneka's situation is different, since her parents are Nigerian, but you could imagine countries basically fielding rent-a-player teams to represent them if you opened it up completely.  I think, for example, that there were limitations on Catarina Macario playing for the USWNT (she was ultimately approved to play by FIFA this year: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/01...-the-uswnt).

BC

FIBA and FIFA have different rules (not always consistent.) In Macario's case she needed to obtain her citizenship and meet a length of residency requirement, but most pertinently she had never represented Brazil, not even at the youth level, so that wasn't a barrier. When players actually represent a country in competition and then apply to switch to a different country it becomes a more involved process.

FIFA is quite liberal in their citizenship requirements; you can represent a country even if your only connection is a single grandparent. However, once you take part in a FIFA tournament for one country you have to go through a more rigorous and lengthy application process to play for a different country. Apparently FIBA is even more stringent but it's the same issue. Perhaps one day they will open a transfer portal.

I think Nneka was hurt by attempting to switch on the eve of the tournament, even if FIBA cited different issues in their decision.

[fullmetal]

FIBA's decision, if untainted by USA Basketball or Geno (one and the same now?), is at least consistent and reasonable.  The injustice remains with USA Basketball and the selection committee who left Nneka off the Olympic roster.

[fullmetal]

FIBA's decision, if untainted by USA Basketball or Geno (one and the same now?), is at least consistent and reasonable.  The injustice remains with USA Basketball and the selection committee who left Nneka off the Olympic roster.

[M T]

Wouldn't it have been honorable if USA basketball had appealed to FIBA:  "We passed on Nneka twice (or is it 3 times?).  We think that if she were allowed to play on a team with her sisters, if Nigeria wants her, this would raise the level of basketball in Nigeria.  We support her appeal to FIBA"

I have no reason to believe that USA basketball wasn't using all the back channels they had to avoid looking stupid.   Especially after the US men's losses.

[M T]

Wouldn't it have been honorable if USA basketball had appealed to FIBA:  "We passed on Nneka twice (or is it 3 times?).  We think that if she were allowed to play on a team with her sisters, if Nigeria wants her, this would raise the level of basketball in Nigeria.  We support her appeal to FIBA"

I have no reason to believe that USA basketball wasn't using all the back channels they had to avoid looking stupid.   Especially after the US men's losses.

[Jskass]

and given that the venerable USA WBB team (sans the once again injured Taurasi, who now has a hip issue) lost to the WNBA All-Stars (EXCLUDING Cambage who DNP), I guess they were wise to take any protective action. Despite it being unethical and cruel if it happened.

I hope Chiney plays and that Nigeria beats the proverbial pants off the US. I was waiting for Arike Ogunbowale in her MVP speech after last night's game to say it was for Nneka but she is still in the USA pool so she cheered on the USA team. Too bad, as all those players on Nigeria would be amazing since the USA team is still so UConn biased.

[Jskass]

and given that the venerable USA WBB team (sans the once again injured Taurasi, who now has a hip issue) lost to the WNBA All-Stars (EXCLUDING Cambage who DNP), I guess they were wise to take any protective action. Despite it being unethical and cruel if it happened.

I hope Chiney plays and that Nigeria beats the proverbial pants off the US. I was waiting for Arike Ogunbowale in her MVP speech after last night's game to say it was for Nneka but she is still in the USA pool so she cheered on the USA team. Too bad, as all those players on Nigeria would be amazing since the USA team is still so UConn biased.

[teejers1]

FIBA's decision, if untainted by USA Basketball or Geno (one and the same now?), is at least consistent and reasonable.  The injustice remains with USA Basketball and the selection committee who left Nneka off the Olympic roster.

The "far greater" injustice remains with USA Basketball - I agree with that.

Add: Also, what is FIBA's rationale for restricting an individual from playing for more than one country (obviously in different Olympics)? I don't think it has anything to do with countries naturalizing ballers strictly for Olympic competition. If a player is qualified/eligible under more than one country's requirements, why does FIBA care who they play for and when?

To me, the better policy argument is a "local" one. The countries determining eligibility should factor into the equation that Dual Citizenship Person A played for Country X and Country Y while Person B has toiled only for Country Y. In other words, the people getting the short end is not Country X or Country Y, but aspiring Olympian for Country Y. But again, not sure why FIBA should been dictating that.

[teejers1]

FIBA's decision, if untainted by USA Basketball or Geno (one and the same now?), is at least consistent and reasonable.  The injustice remains with USA Basketball and the selection committee who left Nneka off the Olympic roster.

The "far greater" injustice remains with USA Basketball - I agree with that.

Add: Also, what is FIBA's rationale for restricting an individual from playing for more than one country (obviously in different Olympics)? I don't think it has anything to do with countries naturalizing ballers strictly for Olympic competition. If a player is qualified/eligible under more than one country's requirements, why does FIBA care who they play for and when?

To me, the better policy argument is a "local" one. The countries determining eligibility should factor into the equation that Dual Citizenship Person A played for Country X and Country Y while Person B has toiled only for Country Y. In other words, the people getting the short end is not Country X or Country Y, but aspiring Olympian for Country Y. But again, not sure why FIBA should been dictating that.

[ColoradoTree]

Wouldn't it have been honorable if USA basketball had appealed to FIBA:  "We passed on Nneka twice (or is it 3 times?).  We think that if she were allowed to play on a team with her sisters, if Nigeria wants her, this would raise the level of basketball in Nigeria.  We support her appeal to FIBA"

Isn't that basically what Team USA basketball did? At least publicly, they'd released her and supported her attempt to play for Nigeria. Now, maybe they knew the attempt was doomed to failure so they figured they didn't lose anything by doing so. And they're obviously still the villain here in leaving her off the roster, so while they're guilty of plenty, I don't know that they're guilty of sabotaging her attempt to join the Nigerian team. 

If it were soccer, it wouldn't have even been a question--she'd have been out of luck because she'd represented the US at a senior level in official competition. (Rules have since been relaxed to allow players with three or fewer caps to seek a one-time switch to represent a different country, but she's won two world championships with Team USA.) But while FIBA seemed like it had a more relaxed standard, this still seemed like a very heavy lift. 

Agreed with fullmetal: it's hard to argue with FIBA's decision, at least as to Nneka. Really, really easy to argue with USA Basketball's decision not to bring her in the first place.

[ColoradoTree]

Wouldn't it have been honorable if USA basketball had appealed to FIBA:  "We passed on Nneka twice (or is it 3 times?).  We think that if she were allowed to play on a team with her sisters, if Nigeria wants her, this would raise the level of basketball in Nigeria.  We support her appeal to FIBA"

Isn't that basically what Team USA basketball did? At least publicly, they'd released her and supported her attempt to play for Nigeria. Now, maybe they knew the attempt was doomed to failure so they figured they didn't lose anything by doing so. And they're obviously still the villain here in leaving her off the roster, so while they're guilty of plenty, I don't know that they're guilty of sabotaging her attempt to join the Nigerian team. 

If it were soccer, it wouldn't have even been a question--she'd have been out of luck because she'd represented the US at a senior level in official competition. (Rules have since been relaxed to allow players with three or fewer caps to seek a one-time switch to represent a different country, but she's won two world championships with Team USA.) But while FIBA seemed like it had a more relaxed standard, this still seemed like a very heavy lift. 

Agreed with fullmetal: it's hard to argue with FIBA's decision, at least as to Nneka. Really, really easy to argue with USA Basketball's decision not to bring her in the first place.

[Canalejas]

I imagine Nigeria's chances for an upset tournament run are a lot lower without Nneka.  Too bad.

[Canalejas]

I imagine Nigeria's chances for an upset tournament run are a lot lower without Nneka.  Too bad.

[fullmetal]

Certainly the TV ratings will be a lot lower.  I mean, c'mon!

[fullmetal]

Certainly the TV ratings will be a lot lower.  I mean, c'mon!

[Jskass]

So the USA WBB team after losing to the WNBA All Stars has now lost to Australia (also exhibition) WITHOUT Cambage.

[Jskass]

So the USA WBB team after losing to the WNBA All Stars has now lost to Australia (also exhibition) WITHOUT Cambage.

[Softball Fan]

So the USA WBB team after losing to the WNBA All Stars has now lost to Australia (also exhibition) WITHOUT Cambage.

I watched some of the Australia game.  I think USA's goal was more to get different players on the court than to win the game.  I expect USA will beat Australia at the Olympics without too much trouble.  If the game is somewhat close the USA team will be much more physical on defense.

[Softball Fan]

So the USA WBB team after losing to the WNBA All Stars has now lost to Australia (also exhibition) WITHOUT Cambage.

I watched some of the Australia game.  I think USA's goal was more to get different players on the court than to win the game.  I expect USA will beat Australia at the Olympics without too much trouble.  If the game is somewhat close the USA team will be much more physical on defense.

[BobK]

Anyone have the box on the game ?

[BobK]

Anyone have the box on the game ?

[DC 86]

Anyone have the box on the game ?

https://www.usab.com/news-events/live-st...s-aus.aspx

USA 25-67 from the field, including 2-18 from 3-pt.

[DC 86]

Anyone have the box on the game ?

https://www.usab.com/news-events/live-st...s-aus.aspx

USA 25-67 from the field, including 2-18 from 3-pt.

[fullmetal]

The US women beat Nigeria 93-62.  Erika Ogwumike had five points for Nigeria.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/19/usa...-olympics/


Elizabeth Williams (non-Stanford) and Chiney Ogwumike did not play and are appealing (along with Nneka) their citizenship status to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ol...007860002/

[fullmetal]

The US women beat Nigeria 93-62.  Erika Ogwumike had five points for Nigeria.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/19/usa...-olympics/


Elizabeth Williams (non-Stanford) and Chiney Ogwumike did not play and are appealing (along with Nneka) their citizenship status to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ol...007860002/

[winflop]

Appeals denied. Pretty pathetic. Ultimately Nneka's demise falls on the shoulders of USA Basketball. Really reprehensible.

[winflop]

Appeals denied. Pretty pathetic. Ultimately Nneka's demise falls on the shoulders of USA Basketball. Really reprehensible.

[crackpot]

Get mad all over again: https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball...iba-denial

They did her so, so wrong...

[crackpot]

Get mad all over again: https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball...iba-denial

They did her so, so wrong...

[teejers1]

Get mad all over again: https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball...iba-denial

They did her so, so wrong...

Normally, I'd say "thanks for the link," but I'm so effing pissed off at Team USA, and FIBA, that it's sickening.  Go with the younger players?  Taurasi is a dinosaur . . . and now a re-injured one.  But she's in and Nneka's out.  Good grief.  A lot of "backtracking" indeed.

Did I say this whole thing pisses me off?

[teejers1]

Get mad all over again: https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball...iba-denial

They did her so, so wrong...

Normally, I'd say "thanks for the link," but I'm so effing pissed off at Team USA, and FIBA, that it's sickening.  Go with the younger players?  Taurasi is a dinosaur . . . and now a re-injured one.  But she's in and Nneka's out.  Good grief.  A lot of "backtracking" indeed.

Did I say this whole thing pisses me off?

[Jskass]

Looking more and more like the UConn powers wanted Collier (and maybe so much that they made a deal to add Atkins so it wasn't a UConn only obvious move). Go Nigeria!

[Jskass]

Looking more and more like the UConn powers wanted Collier (and maybe so much that they made a deal to add Atkins so it wasn't a UConn only obvious move). Go Nigeria!

[Griffins78]

Nneka Ogwumike cries, felt 'unvaluable' after Olympics snub

Makes me sad and mad.

I boycotted anything related to the U.S. Olympic Women’s BBall.

[Griffins78]

Nneka Ogwumike cries, felt 'unvaluable' after Olympics snub

Makes me sad and mad.

I boycotted anything related to the U.S. Olympic Women’s BBall.

[triangle2]

Just bumping this to note that Nneka is good enough to make the WNBA Top 25 players of all time, and yet…??

https://sparks.wnba.com/news/nneka-ogwum...-all-time/

Let the memes begin…

[triangle2]

Just bumping this to note that Nneka is good enough to make the WNBA Top 25 players of all time, and yet…??

https://sparks.wnba.com/news/nneka-ogwum...-all-time/

Let the memes begin…

[crackpot]

Just bumping this to note that Nneka is good enough to make the WNBA Top 25 players of all time, and yet…??

https://sparks.wnba.com/news/nneka-ogwum...-all-time/

Let the memes begin…

Ogwumike was the only player of the 72 nominees to meet all seven criteria for the list.

[crackpot]

Just bumping this to note that Nneka is good enough to make the WNBA Top 25 players of all time, and yet…??

https://sparks.wnba.com/news/nneka-ogwum...-all-time/

Let the memes begin…

Ogwumike was the only player of the 72 nominees to meet all seven criteria for the list.