NBA has long-term plans for African ascent

SALY, Senegal - Timothy Ighoefe is an intimidating defender at 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds.

Still, the towering Nigerian knows he must improve if his decision to play basketball instead of soccer is going to pay off and take him to the NBA.

The 18-year-old Ighoefe has committed to play for Patrick Ewing at Georgetown University next season, only three years after switching to hoops in his hometown of Lagos.