Nigerian basketball player shot dead 'after trying to rob a home in Texas'

29 year old Chinedu Onyeuku, a former D'Tigers of Nigeria player, was shot dead in an alleged botched burglary in a home in Texas on November 21.

Police say Chinedu, who played for the Nigerian team that qualified for this year's Olympic Games in London, was trying to break into a home on Rio Grande Street in Plano, Texas with an accomplice when he was shot dead by the home owner.

Chinedu and another individual allegedly entered the house by breaking the glass patio door. The home owner shot Chinedu, killing him instantly, while his accomplice escaped.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation posted a statement saying that the 29-year-old athlete played basketball for the team that qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. However, Onyeuku was not on the Olympic roster and did not actually compete.

The statement reads: 'His passion for playing with D’Tigers was deep-seated and he will be greatly missed. The federation joins his family and team mates to mourn a departed son, father, husband and great patriot