Why Trail Blazers’ duo of Al-Farouq Aminu and Festis Ezeli not playing for Nigeria in 2016 Olympics

Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu decided to withdraw from the 2016 Rio Olympics, due to unresolved issues with NBF.

“Due to continued and unresolved organizational challenges with the Nigerian Basketball Federation, I’m withdrawing from participation in the 2016 Olympic Games,” Aminu said in a press release issued by the Blazers. “I wish the Nigerian players, coaches and staff great success in the Olympics and hope to participate in future opportunities with the national team.”

Blazers center Festus Ezeli is not playing with the Nigerian team in this year’s Olympics either due to disputes over insurance for his NBA contract.

Aminu helped Nigeria earn a second consecutive Olympic berth last summer, leading the national team to its first ever Afrobasket tournament title. He also played for the Nigerian national team in the 2012 London Olympics.