Nigeria’s D’Tigress moved up four places, from 12th to 8th, in the newly updated FIBA Global Power Rankings (volume three) following a remarkable performance so far at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Nigerian women’s basketball team was initially ranked 12th out of the 12 nations competing in the Paris Games. However, they have made a significant leap in the rankings after a history-making tournament in France.

With stunning victories against top-ranked Australia and Canada in the group stage of the women’s event, Nigeria became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in Olympic basketball in either the men’s or women’s category.

The D’Tigress have now been rewarded for their efforts, jumping ahead of China, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Japan in the global power rankings.

Meanwhile, the United States, whom Nigeria will face in their quarter-final game on Thursday, remains number one in the world. They are followed by Belgium in second place, while France has dropped to third.

Australia maintains its position in fourth place, while Germany is the biggest climber, jumping from 10th to 5th. Spain and Serbia each moved up one place to sixth and seventh, respectively.