Andre Iguodala explains why he chose to play for team USA rather than Nigeria – NBA Update
Andre Iguodala, the star shooting guard of Philadelphia 76ers, will be playing in his first ever Olympics when team USA starts proceedings against France on July 29th. However this is not the only chance that could
have come his way to enter the Olympics.
Iguodala’s father is of Nigerian descent, therefore making him eligible to be a part of Nigeria’s basketball team. However Iguodala does not consider himself to be a Nigerian as he grew up in America and has had a live long dream
of representing USA in the Olympics.
“It was always my dream to play for the USA team," Iguodala said. "That's where I grew up”
"I never gave it any serious thought. It didn't feel right to me. I've never been there. I've never really had a chance to experience their culture, only from the outside looking in because of my father."
This is the first time; Nigeria has been able to qualify for the Olympics. Even though Iguodala is not present on the current Nigerian roster, they have been trying to recruit the Philadelphia 76ers player since 2004.
"They've been trying to get here for a long time now," Iguodala said.
Iguodala has held an ambition to represent USA in the Olympics ever since he was eight years old and saw the Dream Team take to court to the first time. He grew up idolizing the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson
and wanted to be in their place one day.
Ever since Iguodala arrived in the NBA, back in 2004, he had the experience of watching the Americans lose out to Argentina in the Athens Olympics and finish with a bronze medal. Since then, team USA has seen a total turn around
under President Jerry Colangelo and legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The team has been on a splendid run since the bronze medal finish in 2004, having won 54 games and suffering only one loss. Iguodala will now be the part of the US effort to keep the streak going.
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