Nigeria's Rene Wakama Named Best Female Basketball Coach at Olympics 2024

The head coach of Nigeria's senior women's basketball team, D'Tigress, Rena Wakama has been named the Best Female Basketball Coach at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

At just 32 years old, Wakama has made history by leading D'Tigress to their first-ever quarterfinals in the Olympic Games, marking a pivotal milestone for African basketball.

Wakama's journey with D'Tigress has been nothing short of remarkable. She took over as the first female head coach of the team just over a year ago and quickly led them to victory in the 2023 Afrobasket, securing their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Her leadership and strategic prowess were evident as D'Tigress defeated formidable teams such as Australia and Canada, making them the first African team, male or female, to reach the quarterfinals of an Olympic basketball tournament.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including the withdrawal of captain Sarah Ogoke for personal reasons, Wakama's squad demonstrated resilience and tenacity.

Power forward Nicole Enabosi highlighted the team's fighting spirit, stating, "No matter what we had to go through, the adversity, we were still able to come out on top. It shows the magic behind basketball."

Wakama's impact on the team has been profound. Basketball commentator and analyst Queen John-Moseph noted, "I believe her resilience, her hunger to make a name and also prove a point to critics who didn't feel she was good enough to take the job has [made] an impact."

Former assistant coach Udoka praised Wakama's achievements, saying, "It’s great for her being so young and it just shows the bright future she has."

D'Tigress' defensive strategy, characterized by aggressive play and high-pressure tactics, played a crucial role in their success. The team's ability to force turnovers and lead the tournament in steals was instrumental in their victories.

Guard Promise Amukamara and forward Murjanatu Musa were key contributors, with Amukamara averaging 6.7 assists per game and Musa excelling defensively with 6.7 rebounds per game.

Although their campaign ended with a loss to the USA in the quarterfinals, D'Tigress' performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics has set a new high tide mark for Nigerian and African basketball. Wakama's vision extends beyond the court, as she hopes to inspire people across the continent to pursue their dreams and help grow the women's game. "If we invest in Africa we're capable of doing amazing things," she said following their victory over Canada.