Suns’ Josh Okogie, Ish Wainright stepping up in FIBA African qualifiers

The Phoenix Suns had players playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers over the weekend with Nigeria’s Josh Okogie and Uganda’s Ish Wainright both producing in all their respective games.

Okogie played in three contests over the weekend, losing to Ivory Coast 78-66, defeating Guinea and former ASU guard Shannon Evans 89-70 and falling to Angola 70-67.

He had 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, five steals and a block in the loss to Ivory Coast.

The guard also added 10 points, six assists, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the win over Guinea. He stars for Nigeria with former USC Trojan and current Sacramento Kings center Chimezie Metu.

😤 GIMME THAT! 🔥@CallMe_NonStop sets the tone on both ends! #FIBAWC x @NigeriaBasket | #WinForNigeria pic.twitter.com/BVEnkAubJc

— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 27, 2022

Okogie missed a buzzer-beating shot that would’ve sent the game to overtime in the loss to Angola on Sunday.

Wainright played three games over the weekend, scoring 16 points with eight rebounds and two assists in Uganda’s loss vs. Angola on Friday.

The forward also dumped in 16 points and notched seven rebounds in the loss to Ivory Coast.

"Steph gonna steph!"

🇨🇮 captain Stephane Konaté shows his fav move to the crowd at 41 y.o! 🤯#FIBAWC x #WinForCotedivoire pic.twitter.com/1GROyTfwGz

— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 27, 2022

Uganda lost to Guinea in the third and final game of the weekend 76-69.

Both players’ countries sit on the outside the qualifier spot with Nigeria in fourth place in qualifying and Uganda currently in fifth.

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