Team USA shocked by Nigeria in first exhibition game

Not an ideal start for the USA Basketball team. Last night, they were beaten 90-87 by Nigeria in a stunning loss where they were favored by nearly 30 points. It was Team USA’s first-ever loss to a team from Africa.

Team USA’s roster is overflowing with superstars, including former Wildcat Bam Adebayo, who started last night. He was joined by an incredibly talented group in Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum. However, they have been practicing together for less than a week. Nigeria, on the other hand, has been together since June 27…and it showed last night.

Durant led Team USA with 17 points, followed by 15 from Tatum and 14 from Lillard. Draymond Green and Zach LaVine both added 10 points off the bench.

Adebayo racked up 11 points and five rebounds in his 17 minutes on the court. His father is Nigerian, leading to some speculation that he might wear green and white this Olympics rather than red, white and blue. In the end, he chose to play for Team USA — and it looked like he had fun doing it regardless of last night’s outcome.

This angle. This is the one. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UriPC4L7td

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2021

Nigeria’s roster features eight current NBA players — and they showed up last night. Guard Gabe Nnamdi went 6-of-8 from the 3-point line, ending with 21 points. Nnamdi (who goes by Gabe Vincent) plays for the Miami Heat. He averaged just 4.8 points per game this past season.

Caleb Agada added 17 points off the bench for Nigeria. Agada played in the Israeli League last season and is planning to play with the Denver Nuggets in the NBA’s summer league.

Head coach Gregg Popovich was the main victim of criticism after last night’s loss. He has now lost four games in his 13 with Team USA. Here are his comments following the loss:

"It means nothing if we don't learn from it."

We'll figure it out 🤞🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UIdwwz35fR

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2021

In the last Olympics, Team USA beat Nigeria by 44 points in their exhibition match. In 2012, they beat them by 83. In other words, this was a real shocker. NBA tycoon Adrian Wojnarowski actually called it “one of the great upsets in international basketball history” on Twitter.

Speaking of Twitter, the loss generated some hall of fame tweets last night. Here is one of my favorites.

Kevin Durant seeing Team USA lose to Nigeria just before the Olympic pic.twitter.com/zjnLZeiJVy

— Kyle Ledbetter (@CSM_MemesInsta) July 11, 2021

Team USA is seeking their fourth consecutive Olympic title. They will play their second exhibition game Monday night vs. Australia. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.