EROMOSELE OMOIKE
Rena Wakama, is now well-known in the basketball community, especially with her success of leading Nigeria’s women’s basketball team to a fourth straight victory at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasketball Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, recently, while successfully defending their title.
The Rena Wakama-led ladies defeated the Senegalese women’s basketball team 84-74 at the BK Arena, Kigali, Rwanda.
The victory made Nigeria only the second African country after Senegal ever to win the women’s Afrobasket title four times in a row.
Wakama also became the first female coach to win the competition since its inception in 1966.
She was recently named the D’Tigress’ head coach, and she has brought a plethora of experience, a breath of fresh air, renewed vigour, motivation and a unique journey to the role.
On April 11, 1992, Rena Wakama was born in Rivers State, Nigeria. She had a great deal of talent and passion for basketball from a young age, which eventually helped her break into the professional ranks of the game. Her perseverance and diligence established the groundwork for a spectacular career that has since evolved into coaching.
Rena Wakama Career
Rena Wakama, a former basketball player for Nigeria at the international level, made a lasting impression on the game by frequently representing her nation in games. She was a valuable member of the national squad due to her commitment to the sport and her talent on the court.
Rena Wakama Education
Rena Wakama is a talented basketball player, but she is also a dedicated student. She graduated from Western Carolina with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and continued her studies by earning an MBA from Manhattan. This academic background demonstrates her dedication to personal development and provides aspirant athletes with an encouraging role model.
Rena Wakama transitioned into teaching after her playing career, which has proven to be a natural step for her. At present, she assists the head coach at Stony Brook University in the United States. She has invaluable insights to help develop and mentor the upcoming crop of basketball talent thanks to her coaching experience and her time as a player.
Rena Wakama Net Worth
Rena Wakama’s projected net worth as of 2023 ranges from $50,000 to $250,000. Her success as a player and in her present position as head coach surely have an impact on her wealth. But it’s important to keep in mind that coaches’ salaries frequently fluctuate based on things like experience, level of competition, and endorsement deals.
When did she become the NBBF Coach?
Rena Wakama’s aptitude as a coach was acknowledged by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), which named her as the D’Tigress’ head coach on June 30, 2023.
African Champions in Reign: Rena Wakama takes over as head coach of D’Tigress, the continent’s current champions after Otis Hughley stepped down. Under the direction of former coaches, the team successfully defended their continental championship in 2017 and again in 2019 and 2021. Expectations are high as the team works to maintain its leadership in African basketball now that Rena Wakama is in charge.
Rena Wakama has been named the new head coach of the D’Tigress FC by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Since Otis Hughley left her position as coach in 2022, the D’Tigress has been without a coach.
The former player for the United States national team has decided to leave her position as an assistant coach at Stony Brook University.
In the UK, she was a professional basketball player.
The NBBF claims that the selection of Wakama was well-considered because she will offer her abundance of expertise from her time playing for Nigeria’s national team.
“Wakama played basketball professionally in the UK in addition to representing the Senior Nigerian National Team throughout his four years as a letter winner at the University of Western Carolina.
The NBBF stated that Wakama graduated with a BA in therapeutic recreation from Western Carolina in 2014 and an MBA from Manhattan in 2019.
She has polished her coaching techniques while assisting in the development of young players for the basketball powerhouse at Stony Brooks University in the United States.
The Rivers State-bred D’Tigress Head Coach, who was recently appointed. South-South, a Nigerian, has an MBA from Manhattan, which she finished in 2019, and a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Western Carolina, both earned in 2014.
The terms of Wakama’s contract with D’Tigress is till 2025. She looks set, with her dynamism and beauty, to change the face of not just Nigeria’s women basketball, but Africa’s at large.
