Nigerian Basketball Federation Slams American Sport Commentator, Stephen A. Smith For Butchering Names Of Nigerian Players Following US Loss

Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has slammed American sport commentator, Stephen A. Smith for butchering the names of Nigerian players following their exhibition win against Team USA on Saturday.

Nigeria shockingly defeated Team USA 90-87 in Las Vegas on Saturday night, which led to various reactions and criticisms.

Read Also: Nigeria’s D’Tigers Defeat United States Basketball Team

Americans are favorites to win a Gold medal at Olympics in Tokyo later this month, and the defeat to Nigeria was only the team’s third exhibition loss since 1992.

Reacting to US loss, the ESPN sport commentator while speaking mispronounced the names of Nigerian players, which many claimed to be an intentional attempt to belittle the team.

In a video of himself speaking, Smith said;

There’s no excuse to lose to Nigeria. [To lose to] some dude Gabe Nnamdi, who goes by Gabe Vincent for the Miami Heat. Or Caleb Agada. Or Nma … however the hell you pronounce his name.

This is exactly what needed to said about TEAM USA!!! pic.twitter.com/duH385AlwR

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 12, 2021

However, Nigerian team and many of its players got offended with the way Smith went about his criticism — including the way he pronounced their names.

Reacting on Monday night, June 12, the Nigerian Basketball Federation condemned Smith, writing;

You can lament your loss without slandering the players who gave blood and sweat to grind out a win. Put some respect to their names.

You can lament your loss without slandering the players who gave blood and sweet to grind out a win

Put some respect to their names https://t.co/BOZ6dwHGph

— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) July 12, 2021

Nigerian team and many of its players also took to Twitter to slam Smith for his take shortly after he posted the video of himself.

A one minute clip with no basketball analysis and pure disrespect to the names of our culture.

Do better please @stephenasmith. This is low, even for you. https://t.co/H6m69KCwL2

— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 12, 2021

😴 y’all gon respect us soon. 🇳🇬 #usneverthem https://t.co/PYlRRlXn0B

— Ike Nwamu (@ike_nwamu) July 12, 2021

You can critique the other team without disrespecting us. Put some respect on the flag and the mother land! Don’t forget where your ancestors came from !!!! 🇳🇬😁 https://t.co/d7B1lK0nLW

— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) July 12, 2021

Most disrespectful thing I’ve heard in a while. @stephenasmith is violating over 200 million 🇳🇬’s with statements like this. Those 3 men that he mentioned worked way to hard to be dismissed like that. Say our names properly or don’t say them at all. https://t.co/ybaHJohJmq

— Stan Okoye (@StanOkoye_) July 12, 2021

Smith’s video marked the second offensive and wild rant the ESPN personality made on Monday, following a xenophobic rant about Japanese Los Angeles Angels baseball star, Shohei Ohtani.