The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Tosin Mehinti Shines for Nigeria During FIBA African Qualifiers
7/3/2018 9:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Former UAB men's basketball player Tosin Mehinti put on a dazzling display for his home country of Nigeria in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers as he helped D'Tigers to three wins en route to a 6-0 record in the opening round of qualifying action.
Nigeria finished atop Group B with 12 points after its six wins, with Mehinti averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest in the final three games.
"It's always a huge honor when you represent your country," Mehinti said. "I also got to play in front of my family for the first time. Overall, it was a great experience. I made some new friends and some new memories and I will do this all over again if I get the opportunity."
Mehinti got off to a red-hot start in his first game of group play, nearly going for a double-double with 12 points and nine boards in 18 minutes of action to help Nigeria to a 109-66 win over Uganda. He provided a strong 16-minute performance in Nigeria's 111-70 win over Rwanda, giving D'Tigers seven points and two steals.
The Lagos, Nigeria native's best performance of the opening round came on the final day of the first round as he poured in 14 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting effort from the floor to propel Nigeria to a 93-53 victory over Mali and secure the team's perfect 6-0 first-round record.
Nigeria begins the second round of qualifying in September at the top of Group F, which consists of Senegal, Central Africa Republic, Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali. The top-two finishers in the group will automatically advance to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
More information on the 2019 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers can be found by clicking here.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now starting as low as $105. To purchase, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_MBB).
Nigeria finished atop Group B with 12 points after its six wins, with Mehinti averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest in the final three games.
"It's always a huge honor when you represent your country," Mehinti said. "I also got to play in front of my family for the first time. Overall, it was a great experience. I made some new friends and some new memories and I will do this all over again if I get the opportunity."
Mehinti got off to a red-hot start in his first game of group play, nearly going for a double-double with 12 points and nine boards in 18 minutes of action to help Nigeria to a 109-66 win over Uganda. He provided a strong 16-minute performance in Nigeria's 111-70 win over Rwanda, giving D'Tigers seven points and two steals.
The Lagos, Nigeria native's best performance of the opening round came on the final day of the first round as he poured in 14 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting effort from the floor to propel Nigeria to a 93-53 victory over Mali and secure the team's perfect 6-0 first-round record.
Nigeria begins the second round of qualifying in September at the top of Group F, which consists of Senegal, Central Africa Republic, Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali. The top-two finishers in the group will automatically advance to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
More information on the 2019 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers can be found by clicking here.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now starting as low as $105. To purchase, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_MBB).
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