Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have soared to 8th place in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings, capping off a remarkable run at the 2025 AfroBasket in Abidjan.

The rankings, released on Thursday, August 14, show Nigeria climbing three spots from 11th, now boasting 640.1 points — the only African side ever to break into the global top 10.

The United States still lead the chart with 880.9 points, followed by Australia (719.6) and France (719.2). China (712.7) and Belgium (702.1) complete the top five, with Spain, Canada, and Nigeria rounding off the elite eight.

D’Tigress’ rise comes on the heels of their fifth straight AfroBasket crown — an unprecedented feat for any men’s or women’s team in Africa. In the final, the defending champions outclassed hosts Côte d’Ivoire 78–64 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, sealing their seventh overall title and stretching their unbeaten AfroBasket streak to 29 games since 2015.

Elsewhere in the rankings, Lithuania jumped 14 places to 31st after reaching the EuroBasket quarter-finals on their return to the tournament in a decade. South Sudan made a dream AfroBasket debut, clinching third place, while Lebanon, Indonesia, Iran, and Mongolia all recorded significant climbs following strong regional performances.

With their latest triumph, D’Tigress have cemented their place not just in African basketball history, but on the world stage.