Chiney Ogwumike shared her disappointment at Nneka's exclusion from the women's Olympic basketball squad. (0:52).It is hard to imagine the excitement and intrigue that might have been surrounding the women's basketball match between Nigeria and the United States tonight at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.In an alternate reality, Nneka Ogwumike, the former WNBA MVP, would be playing for the United States in a match against her younger sisters, Erica and Chiney, as well as Elizabeth Williams, Atlanta Dream center, on the Nigerian side.Another team would see Williams, Ogwumike and Williams team up to form the D'Tigress team to try to be the first African nation to win an Olympic basketball medal.It would have been a great showcase for African basketball, as it was still basking under the glow of Giannis Antitokoumpo's NBA Finals MVP title (his parents were born and raised in Nigeria), with the Milwaukee Bucks.It will be a huge missed opportunity. Nneka tried to highlight the positives and look forward during this episode.Nneka, 31 years old, says that he still feels pride in the Nigerian team and has high hopes for it as it is now. "So, maybe I won't make it this time, but I do hope I can be part of it in the future."This is a nice way to look at things. Over the past month, she has done enough soul-searching, processing, and returned to a positive, forward-looking outlook.It's still amazing to her that she will be able to watch the United States-Nigeria match from her Los Angeles home, instead of playing in it.She says, "Quite honestly." "I never imagined I'd find myself in this position."Nneka Ogwumike and Williams were denied by the world governing body of basketball, FIBA. They cited their long-standing association with USA Basketball. Ogwumike has been absent from the American roster for Tokyo for almost a month.She's been processing the events and plotting a course of action, while simultaneously trying to find a greater meaning or purpose to the situation.She says, "I have not been public at any time with my thoughts." It's been a difficult month for me. There was a lot to cry and a lot of wanting to be by myself. It's incredible to see how many people have supported me in all of this.After two disappointing pieces of news about the Olympics, Ogwumike tried to emphasize the positive. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty ImagesBecause she wanted to let the hurt go first, or at most fade some, she kept her thoughts to myself. She hoped that perspective would develop over time or that there would be a way forward.She wanted to formulate her reaction before she revealed her initial reaction to being removed from the United States' Olympic roster. After she said that she was continually reassured by coaches and executives about her place, she decided to wait to share her thoughts.Ogwumike was among eight USA Basketball core players in 2019-20. To that end, she signed a contract and gave up lucrative opportunities abroad to join the national team in order to qualify for Tokyo. She was the MVP in the FIBA women’s qualifying tournament and led the team in scoring.Carol Callan, U.S. women’s national team director, called her June 1 after she sustained a minor injury to her knee in a game. She informed her that she would need to recover within four to six weeks. This was plenty of time to get ready for the Summer Games.Ogwumike said that Carol was like, "Oh, well you'll be fresh Diana [Taurasi]," Taurasi, who had suffered a fractured vertebrae that required her to miss 10 games of the Phoenix Mercury, was expected to recover in time to compete in the Olympics.Taurasi was on the roster when it came out; Ogwumike was not.Ogwumike believes USA Basketball has mischaracterized the nature of her injury. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty ImagesOgwumike said she was shocked when Callan called her to inform her of the decision shortly before the roster was made public.Ogwumike explains that Ogwumike said Ogwumike told her that the committee wasn't sure about my injury, and they wanted to choose a younger, more versatile player. "That was their reasoning they gave me over-the-phone."It didn't add together. Ogwumike claims that Sparks trainer Courtney Watson was in contact with USA Basketball to discuss her rehabilitation.She claims she has seen the messages she exchanged and that there were no setbacks.Taurasi was right on track to be available in time for the Games. Why was Dawn Staley citing her injury publicly as the reason she wasn’t chosen for the roster? Callan also claimed that the five-person selection panel wasn't certain about her injury.USA Basketball does not comment on individual selections. Therefore, Staley's comments and Ogwumike’s recollection Callan's private comments provide no official explanations or accountability.Ogwumike doesn't want to go into these details because it doesn’t change the past and won’t affect what will happen in future. She wants to clarify the situation for Watson and Sparks' training staff.She says, "It almost felt like that excuse was now attacking my integrity of care." "Like, if she's not on the team is she more hurt than she thinks?Ogwumike should return to court in August when the Sparks resume their regular season. AP Photo/Ashley Landis"But I was extremely transparent with my experiences and my prognosis. Courtney was open to communicating with them. Courtney communicated with them. "I think that there was a lot more backtracking after the decision was made."However, there was no time to dwell on the sadness. Ogwumike, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the U.S. -- her parents were born there -- quickly adapted to playing alongside her younger sisters. Erica was already part of the Nigerian team. Chiney was in the process for applying to the team for more than a year.It would have been and could have been an amazing opportunity to grow basketball in Nigeria, one of FIBA’s stated mission statements.FIBA rejected her application due to her association with USA Basketball. The Court of Arbitration in Sports has denied her appeal, but they will not rule in time to host these Olympics.She is aware of the criticism she received for applying to the Nigerian team only after Team USA had rejected her. She says she doesn't think that this is fair.This is the unique experience for dual citizens.Do Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike sisters have a chance to be together in Nigeria's future? AP Photo/Marcio Jose SanchezShe says that she thinks this is very representative of a specific Black experience in America. She says she was raised to accept the American experience and all that it has to offer. She was raised in Nigeria and attended the Igbo Catholic Church of Houston. As a child, she traveled to Nigeria numerous times to visit her family.Chiney Ogwumike stated that "we are very present in both our heritages." It doesn't matter if you are living in America or returning home. American citizens are blessed with many opportunities, but Nigerians have the same blessings.Nneka starts to list all the things that make her Nigerian. She spoke Igbo with her parents, donated money to the country’s basketball development programs, and talked to Ros Gold-Onwude, a former Stanford basketball player, about the country's progress.After her time playing for Team USA, she planned to hold a leadership role with the Nigerian Basketball Federation.However, a person's history should not be based on a rsum. Even if she is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, this should not be required. Dual citizenship is governed by FIBA's rules, which are stricter than those of the IOC.Ogwumike would be eligible to compete for Nigeria if she had dual citizenship and a Nigerian passport.FIBA has created a loophole to allow for this kind of situation. If it is in the national interest to grow basketball in Nigeria, the secretary general may approve her application.This is the reason Williams and she appealed to CAS. They will continue to pursue this after the Olympics."There are so many Nigerians and Africans doing amazing things. If I can break the ceiling, then we can all see the real purpose of what we play for: To move forward. Sport is what propels us forward.Perhaps this is what she was meant to do? Two soul-sucking disappointments to be turned into inspiration for African basketball players?She says, "It's a lot work, but it's worth it." "I am Nigerian and I come from Nigerian parents. Excellence is the standard. Not quitting. Doing your best. Being kind to people. This is what I live by.She says, "I know I have worked hard for these accolades. It's not about trophies at the shelf. But my hard work will show for something." "And if that means moving in another direction, then that's what it means."
