FIBA rules Ogwumike cannot play for Nigeria

Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams have been notified by FIBA that their petitions to play for Nigeria in the upcoming Olympics were denied because they played for the United States for too long, according to two people familiar with the situation.

The sources spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made. ESPN first reported the denials.

The Nigerian basketball federation has filed an appeal to FIBA, and both players are looking into taking the denials to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the sources said.

WNBA stars Ogwumike and Williams had been given consent by USA Basketball to play for Nigeria. Usually players that compete for the US in major FIBA events after they turn 17 are not allowed to start playing for another country.

FIBA’s regulations do allow the organization’s secretary-general to authorize a player to compete for their country of origin if it will help grow basketball in the country.