Rena Wakama, the mastermind behind Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, has etched her name in sporting history. The 32-year-old coach was crowned the Best Coach of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by FIBA.
A trailblazer in her field, Wakama is the first female Nigerian basketball coach and one of the youngest coaches to grace the Olympic stage. Under her strategic guidance, the D’Tigress defied expectations, advancing to the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time ever.
The team’s journey to the quarterfinals was nothing short of spectacular. In a stunning upset, they defeated the world’s third-ranked Australia in their opening game, marking their first Olympic victory in two decades. Their momentum continued with a triumph over Canada, securing their place in history as the first African team to reach the Olympic quarterfinals.
While their journey ultimately ended in the quarterfinals against the United States, the D’Tigress showcased exceptional talent and determination. FIBA lauded Wakama’s leadership as instrumental to the team’s unprecedented success, highlighting it as the most impactful performance by an African team in Olympic basketball history.
Wakama’s achievement is a testament to her coaching prowess and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring coaches and athletes across the continent.