Savannah, Ga.—Savannah State University's Ezinne Kalu has been named to the 2011 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) team. Kalu, along with 11 other young ladies, will compete on the Nigerian team in the 2011 “FIBA U19 World Championship for Women” in Puerto Montt, and Puerto Varas, Chile from July 21-31, 2011.

Kalu will report to the NBBF's team camp in Washington, DC from June 7-14 to prepare for the competition. The team will then fly to Fourgeres and Rese, France to play in warm-up games against Brazil, China, and France between June 17-26.

“I am tremendously excited to play with the girls on the team, and I look forward to meeting the coaches and support group of this organization” said Kalu. “Being selected to play for the U19 Nigerian team is a great opportunity, and with family and Savannah State supporting me, this is only the beginning to the path of my success.”

Last season, Kalu led the Lady Tigers basketball team in points and in steals. She averaged 15.4 points per game and finished the year with 80 steals. Kalu had a career high of 34 points and seven steals on February 20 against Morris College.

“Being selected to the U19 Nigerian Team is truly a great accomplishment for Ezinne" said head women's basketball coach, Cedric Baker. " I can truly say we're all excited for her and I anticipate the positive results this opportunity may bring.”

In Chile, team Nigeria will play in “Group C” of the World Championship preliminary round, and take on Australia, France, and host Chile.

The Nigerian team is coached by Adewumi Aderemi, who last year led Nigeria's U18 team to second place at the U18 FIBA African Championship for Women in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information about the 2011 Nigeria Basketball Federation team please click here.