USA vs. Nigeria Basketball: Top Players to Watch in Lopsided Contest

Team USA and Nigeria are squaring off on Thursday night at 5:15 p.m. ET for what looks like a one-sided affair in favor of the Americans.

However, the FIBA Africa bronze medalists do possess a couple of talented players with NBA experience that will likely pose a unique challenge to the United States.

Let’s take a look at them and some U.S. players you should keep an eye on during this contest.

Nigeria

Al-Farouq Aminu

The New Orleans Hornets' Aminu is Team Nigeria’s best perimeter defender. He’s going to be tasked with guarding the most talented swingman on the court for the U.S., which will often be LeBron James or Kevin Durant.

It’s a tall task for the 21-year-old former lottery pick, but it will provide him with invaluable experience that will come in handy during his NBA career. That, coupled with national pride, should be all the motivation that Aminu needs to try his hardest to lock down the Team USA scorers.

Ike Diogu

Diogu is the other member of the D’Tigers that has professional basketball experience in America. Unfortunately, his seven years in the NBA have been spent with seven different franchises, and he’s widely regarded as a lottery bust.

The former Arizona State Sun Devil has to use his large size (6’9”, 250 lbs) to his advantage if he wants to make an impact against the undersized Americans.

Ike certainly possesses the skills to bang in the post, but he’s going to have to summon the will to make it happen Thursday. 

USA

Kevin Durant

KD is both the leading scorer and rebounder for Team USA. He’s the quintessential international star with his long body, ability to bang for boards and nail three-pointers at a high clip.

Expect Nigeria to realize this and throw everything they have at him in order to limit the damage that the OKC Thunder star can do to them.

LeBron James

The NBA MVP does everything for his country. He starts at the power forward position due to the lack of size on the interior, runs the point when the team needs it and does all the little things required to win.

Nigeria has no one who can match up with him, and it’s likely that LBJ will be the MVP of this contest.