Who is Rena Wakama? What is Rena Wakama Nationality?

Who is Rena Wakama?

Rena Wakama is a well-known basketball coach and former athlete from Nigeria, born on April 11, 1992, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is famous for being the first female head coach of the Nigerian Senior Women's Basketball Team, also known as the D'Tigress. Besides her role with the national team, she is an assistant coach at Tulane University.

Growing up in Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria, Rena developed a love for basketball at an early age. She played basketball for Western Carolina University and graduated with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation before continuing her education with an MBA from Manhattan College. Prior to her current position, Rena spent several years working with the women's basketball team at Manhattan College, where she sharpened her coaching abilities.

(Source: Sportskeeda)

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What is Rena Wakama Nationality?

Rena Wakama holds Nigerian citizenship. Despite her birthplace in Raleigh, North Carolina, her family roots trace back to Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria. This link to Nigeria holds great importance, as she has fully embraced her Nigerian ancestry and has risen to prominence in Nigerian basketball, currently leading the Nigeria Senior Women's Basketball Team, known as the D'Tigress.

Rena Wakama's Parents Nationality

Rena Wakama's folks, Johnson Wakama and Rosana Oba, hail from Nigeria and come from Okrika, a city in Rivers State. Even though Rena was brought up in Raleigh, North Carolina, she has consistently kept a deep bond with her Nigerian ancestry, frequently returning to her family's native land and cherishing her cultural traditions.

Rena Wakama Career

Rena Wakama has embarked on an extraordinary path in the world of basketball, moving from the role of a player to becoming a highly esteemed coach. Her journey in basketball started in her early years, sparked by her cousin's influence. Wakama played for the Western Carolina Catamounts from 2010 to 2014, during which she honed her abilities and deepened her love for the sport. Following her college career, she joined the D'Tigress, Nigeria's national team for women, and took part in the 2015 Women's AfroBasket tournament, where Nigeria clinched a third-place position. She also represented Nigeria in the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women throughout her playing career.

After her active playing years, Rena shifted her focus to coaching. She worked as an assistant coach at Manhattan College and then at Stony Brook University. In June 2023, she made history by becoming the inaugural female head coach of the D'Tigress. Under her guidance, the team has seen remarkable achievements, winning the 2023 AfroBasket title and securing Nigeria's berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Rena Wakama Awards and Achievements

Rena Wakama has achieved remarkable progress in her basketball journey, serving both as a player and a mentor. In June 2023, Rena Wakama achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the inaugural female head coach of Nigeria's national women's basketball team, the D'Tigress. This role was a pivotal moment in the history of Nigerian sports. Under her guidance, the D'Tigress clinched the 2023 AfroBasket title, becoming the first female coach to lead a team to victory in this competition since it began in 1966. This triumph was a monumental success for both Rena and her team.

After their triumph at AfroBasket, Rena led the D'Tigress to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, further cementing her influence on the team and Nigerian basketball. As a member of the D'Tigress squad that participated in the 2015 Women's AfroBasket, Rena was part of the team that secured third place.

Rena Wakama Networth

As of the year 2024, Rena Wakama's networth are likely to fall between $1 million and $5 million. This range mirrors her prosperous journey in basketball, both as a player and a coach, especially after her landmark role as the head coach of Nigeria's women's national basketball team, the D'Tigress. Her accomplishments in the game, such as guiding the team to notable wins, have played a part in her financial prosperity and acclaim within the basketball world.