For the first time in 20 years, the Nigerian women’s basketball team won a game at the Olympics, and former Duke basketball star Elizabeth Balogun played a key role in the massive achievement.
Nigeria defeated Australia 75-62 on Monday, helped by a dominant second quarter to build a 13-point halftime lead.
Balogun, one of Nigeria’s five starters, finished with nine points, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist.
The last time Nigeria won an Olympic game, the country defeated South Korea by four points back in 2004.
According to The Associated Press’s Doug Feinberg, the women’s basketball team summoned the upset after their federation wouldn’t let them join their fellow Nigerians on the country’s boat for the opening ceremony.
Balogun played for Georgia Tech and Louisville before transferring to the Blue Devils ahead of the 2021-22 season. She played two seasons with Duke, averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a senior in 2022-23. She scored at least 15 points in seven different games that season, including a 20-point performance against the Cardinals.
First Olympic W in 20 years 🇳🇬 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8XzQmoDQme
— Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) July 29, 2024
Balogun is one of three former Duke women’s basketball players in Paris and one of 19 current and former Blue Devils athletes representing their country.