ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has been called out by members of the Nigerian national team, including Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie, after Smith degraded the Nigerians in the wake of their upset win over Team USA in a pre-Olympic exhibition game.
The ESPN talking head went on a lengthy rant
“There’s no excuse to lose to Nigeria. Some dude, Gabe Nnamdi, who goes by Gabe Vincent for the Miami Heat, Caleb Agada, Emegano…however you pronounce his name. You give up 60 points on threes? Excuse me, you can do better than that,” Smith said Monday on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Miami Heat big man Precious Achiuwa called Smith’s rant “unprofessional,” while Okogie criticized Smith on Twitter:
“You can critique the other team without disrespecting us. Put some respect on the flag and the mother land! Don’t forget where your ancestors came from !!!!”
You can critique the other team without disrespecting us. Put some respect on the flag and the mother land! Don’t forget where your ancestors came from !!!! 🇳🇬😁 https://t.co/d7B1lK0nLW
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) July 12, 2021
Smith’s remarks about the Nigerian national team came the same day he said Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball because he doesn’t speak English. Smith later apologized, saying he “screwed up” while adding his words were “insensitive and regrettable.”
Nigeria followed up their victory over the U.S. by dominating Argentina, while Team USA lost again in an exhibition against Australia.
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