Nigeria's 12-man roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup is an exciting mix of talent that should prove tricky to beat... but imagine if Giannis Antetokounmpo were part of this dozen?
Captain Ike Diogu will lead a cast that includes Al Farouq Aminu, Stanley Okoye, Jordan Nwora, and Josh Okogie, but over the years there have been many players who could have opted for D'Tigers instead of the USA (or Greece).
D'Tigers coach Alex Nwora, who guided Nigeria to become the first country to qualify for the World Cup, said: "These are the best players we have at our disposal right now. We are very aware of expectations back home."
But there are some players who could have not only made that choice much tougher, but also given D'Tigers a genuine chance of competing for the top prizes.
HAKEEM OLAJUWON
Born in Nigeria, Olajuwon represented Nigeria in a junior side at the All-Africa Games in 1980 before he emigrated to the USA, where he played college basketball and was drafted number one in the 1984 NBA Draft.
He led Houston to back to back NBA championships and became the only player in NBA history to win NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season.
He received a waiver from FIBA which allowed him to represent the USA at the 1996 Olympic Games where the Dream Team won gold.
Unfortunately for Nigeria, once Hakeem moved to the US and naturalized, there was never any chance that he would play for D'Tigers again.
He ended his career as the league's all time leader in blocks, is one of only four players to record quadruple-doubles, and was named number 13 in the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and number 10 in the ESPN All-Time NBA Rank.
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2008) and the FIBA Hall of Fame (2016), his number 34 has been retired by the Houston Rockets.
ANDRE IGUODALA
A key cog in the Golden State Warriors' multiple championship-winning seasons, Andre Iguodala was approached to play for Nigeria a number of times, most recently when D'Tigers qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games, but he turned down the offers.
"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 [Nigeria]. I've never really had a chance to experience their culture, only from the outside looking in because of my father."
Imagine what Iguodala, with his defensive dexterity, could have brought to D'Tigers.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
They call him the Greek Freak, but perhaps the Nigeria Nemesis would be more fitting.
Giannis (his last name is the Greek modification of the Nigerian Adetokunbo) was born in Greece to Nigerian parents and only gained Greek citizenship in 2013 when he turned 18.
He may not have been in the league long, but he has already been cleaning up awards and is undoubtedly the leader and face of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.
He was voted NBA regular season MVP in 2019, in addition to his two-time All Star selection and All NBA First team, all coming from his combination of size, power, speed and skill which has made him one of the most dominant players in basketball.
Alex Nwora can dream, can't he?.
"Greece would never let him go," Babs Ogunnade, former Nigeria basketball international and now NBBF Vice President, dryly tells ESPN, stating the very obvious.
VICTOR OLADIPO
A healthy Victor Oladipo would have been invaluable to the Indiana Pacers this past season. Instead, two injuries limited his contributions, and the second kept him sidelined for the rest of the season, costing the Pacers a run at the playoffs.
Then again, think what Oladipo could have offered to D'Tigers. NBA All-Star, Most Improved Player, All Defensive First Team, All-NBA Third Team.
With him on the roster, D'Tigers could well have been challenging for a podium spot. There still time for him to do so though, according Ogunnade: "Who knows, Oladipo might still play at some point, but we will see."
DEANDRE AYTON
If only he had waited a little longer before turning out for the Bahamas! This 21-year-old, drafted with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, could probably have been on his way to the Olympics with Nigeria.
Sadly, the 2018-2019 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer turned out for Bahamas at the 2016 Centrobasket, all but nixing any chance of that happening.
That window may not be entirely closed though, according to Ogunnade: "I recall that he was approached, and he signified his interest to play for Nigeria.
"I think he was even in camp in Buffalo before the team went off to the Dominican Republic."
Now, that would be an almighty steal.