Tijjani Umar, president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), admits the chances of unearthing new talent at the Nigeria University Games are minimal.
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is hosting the 24th edition of the popular Games, which will run until February 22 and basketball is one of 15 sports featuring.
Umar believes that most of the future stars are already tied down to top teams in both the Dstv Men's League and the Zenith Bank Women's League while others have even been selected for the national teams.
"There is no new basketball talent that we will say we want to get from the NUGA Games, because they are already part of us," he told vanguardngr.com.
"Some of them are playing for clubs in the DStv Mens League, while some are playing in the Zenith Bank Women's League and some are even in the national teams."
Meanwhile, NUGA council member Cecilia Arinye says there is quit a buzz in Ile-Ife thanks to the Games.
"With over 10,000 student athletes and massive investment in infrastructure development of the community, the town is in for good tidings," she said.
"With the huge amount already expended for the event by the Local Organising Committee, it is expected that the expenditure will have a ripple effect on the entire environment."
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