Elizabeth Balogun, a former Blue Devil who concluded her collegiate career at Duke in 2023, has earned a spot on Nigeria's roster for the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026. Her selection comes after a standout tenure in which she averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks over 150 appearances, and capped her college years with a 10.2‑point per game output in the 2022‑23 season.
Nigeria enters the tournament as a dominant force, having secured five consecutive Women's AfroBasket championships. The D'Tigress will open their campaign on September 4 against Korea, a match scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, before facing Hungary and France in the group stage.
A Global Field of Talent
The world cup will also feature other notable athletes, including Chelsea Gray, who will represent the United States, and Miela Sowah, who will wear the colors of Australia. Both players are expected to add depth and experience to their respective squads.
Kara Lawson, the head coach of the United States Women's National Basketball Team, will oversee the American side, while Balogun has also signed a development player contract with the New York Liberty of the WNBA, a move that underscores her rising profile in the professional ranks.
Balogun's recent performances have been equally impressive. In the French LFB she logged a 12.3‑point, 6.3‑rebound, 1.8‑assist line across 17 games during the 2025‑26 season, and in the FIBA Women's AfroBasket she contributed 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Across international competition she maintains averages of 7.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.
The tournament's schedule places Nigeria in a challenging group, but the team's historic pedigree and Balogun's versatile skill set as a 6‑1 forward give them a strong chance to extend their winning streak. Fans can expect a competitive opening match against Korea, followed by contests against Hungary and France that will test the squad's depth and resilience.