Olympics: What you need to know about Nigeria's Women's Basketball Head Coach

Nigeria is overjoyed!.

Nigeria's women's basketball team has become the first team from the Africa continent to advance past the Olympic quarterfinals, winning over hearts and putting African basketball on the global map. 

Under the direction of head coach Rena Wakama, the women defeated Canada 79-70, writing history in the process. Even though the players have been outstanding the entire time, Wakama deserves recognition for entirely changing the basketball scene in Nigeria in less than a year.

Although Rena Wakama was not well-known outside of the basketball community, she has achieved remarkable things since being named head coach of the national team in June of last year. Wakama's appointment carried additional significance because she was the first female.

Rena Wakama’s Journey from Player to Pioneer

On April 11, 1992, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the story begins. At that time, Rena Wakama was born and, with the help of her cousin Onimisi Aiyede, developed an early love for basketball.

In 2010, Wakama enrolled at Western Carolina University. She wasn't there to relax; instead, she was showing her support for the Catamounts! She obtained her degree in Therapeutic Recreation before deciding to advance to the next level and enrolling in Manhattan College's MBA program.

Her career as a professional basketball player began in 2014 when she was accepted as a FIBA athlete in the United Kingdom. Wakama's call to patriotism, however, drove her to leave her home country and join FIBA Africa, where she would play as a Nigerian representative. She played for Nigeria's First Bank side in the Africa Cup, rocking it for her nation.

When she wore the Nigerian jersey in the 2015 Women's AfroBasket tournament, she made a significant breakthrough in Cameroon.

But there's still more! 

Rena became Manhattan College's Director of Basketball Operations in 2017 after exchanging her jersey for a suit. Budgets, costs, and other administrative tasks were all under her purview as the boss. She worked at Manhattan College for six seasons, first as the Director and then for the final four as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. She currently serves as Tulane University's women's basketball team's assistant coach.

Rena Wakama’s Impact on D’Tigress

When Rena Wakama led D'Tigress to their fourth consecutive 2023 AfroBasket championship, she publicly announced her name and became determined to leave footprints in the sands of time. 

She became the competition's first female winner. That was only the first of many significant events to come, as Wakama eventually assisted her team in earning an Olympic bid. And just when everyone was ready for Nigeria to soon forget another Olympic Games, Wakama's team surprised everyone by winning their opening game against Australia and giving Nigeria its first triumph in the previous 20 years. They suffered a setback, though, as hosts France defeated them in their second match.

Nevertheless, D'Tigress has to be optimistic about the future after defeating Canada. The transformation of Rena Wakama from a silent character to a salient trailblazing head coach.

Following a thrilling victory against Australia 75-62 in their opening group play match on July 29, Nigeria's women's basketball team overcame Canada 79-70 on Sunday, August 4, 2024, to make their first-ever trip to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in Paris. 

Canada will not advance out of group B as a result of the loss, finishing bottom in group B. Shay Colley led the Canadians in scoring with 17 points, while Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria with 21 points. Canada battled to stay in the running to progress and even took a four-point lead into halftime in a closely balanced first half. But after the pause, the Nigerians exerted pressure that the Canadians.