Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have climbed to 8th place in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings, following their unforgettable triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan.
The new list, released on Thursday, August 14, shows Nigeria moving up three spots from 11th to 8th, with 640.1 ranking points. They remain the only African team ever to break into the world’s top 10.
D’Tigress achieved the ranking leap just weeks after lifting their fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown — a record no other men’s or women’s team in Africa has matched.
In the Abidjan final, they delivered a commanding 78–64 win at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. This secured their seventh AfroBasket title and extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 29 matches, a streak dating back to 2015.
“This team continues to inspire the continent. The dedication, unity, and sheer determination they show is unmatched,” said a senior basketball official after the rankings were published.
Global Movers and Shakers in Women’s Basketball
The United States still lead the world with 880.9 points, followed by Australia (719.6), France (719.2), China (712.7), and Belgium (702.1). Spain and Canada take 6th and 7th places, with Nigeria now completing the top eight.
Beyond Africa, Lithuania’s return to the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket after a decade, and a quarter-final finish, propelled them 14 spots to 31st.
South Sudan’s debut at the AfroBasket Women stunned many — they finished third, a remarkable feat for a first-timer. Lebanon rose 13 places to 41st, Indonesia jumped 19 to 60th, Iran moved up 15 to 44th, and Mongolia climbed 20 to 70th.
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