By Victor Kanayo
After exploits at the 2023 Afrobasket tournament, Nigeria, Mali and Senegal have all appreciated in the latest continental and global FIBA ranking.
The movement is happening few weeks after various countries and continents took part in their women basketball competitions.
According to FIBA, Nigeria moved up seven spots to 11th with 528.9 points in the women ranking presented by Nike in Switzerland.
The climb comes off the back of D’Tigress’ dominance at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2023, where they won the title for the fourth time in a row.
Mali, after finishing third at the tournament, made a huge leap of 13 places to 16th with 362.1 points, while silver medalists Senegal enjoyed an increase of 11 places to 316.3 points and are the last team occupying a berth in the top 20.
Eurobasket Leap
Fresh from making history and being crowned FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 champions, Belgium have moved up one spot, and it’s highly significant and cause for delight as they now secure their joint all-time high of sixth spot.
With 654.6 points, they jump over neighbours France, who are on 643.8, and the Cats are only 0.8 points behind Canada in what is an unchanged top five.
Elsewhere on the list, Hungary’s eye-catching run to the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Semi-Finals also sees them back in the top 20 with a rise of five places to 19th on 342.5 points.
Germany played in the competition for the first time in 12 years and excelled on their return, helping them to accelerate 11 places to 25th on 298.5 points.
Asia, America Surge
China won the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 and remains stable in second place.
Iran achieved a stellar rise of 26 places to 52nd after moving to 135 points after they made the title game of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B 2023 in Bangkok.
Brazil are back in the top ten after they soared seven places to eighth position on 612.6 points via their stunning FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2023 triumph.
The South American nation won a record sixth title at the event as they beat the USA in the final.
