Paris 2024: Rena Wakama Named Best Female Basketball Coach

Nigerian female basketball coach Rena Wakama has been named the best coach award at the women’s basketball event during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Wakama also made history as the first Nigerian National Female Basketball Team coach to secure the women’s Afrobasket title since its inception in 1966.

“Best coach of #Paris2024 Women’s Basketball, Rene Wakama, Nigeria,” a tweet on the X handle of the International Basketball Federation read.

Under her guidance, the Nigerian female team advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time ever, marking them as the inaugural African team (men or women) to reach that stage of the competition.

Unfortunately, Nigeria bid farewell to the women’s basketball event after a 74-88 loss to the US.

Wakama’s incredible impact on the team secured her the Best Coach of the Paris Games in Women’s Basketball, surpassing Cheryl Reeve, the head coach of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, and Jean-Aimé Toupane, the head coach of the silver medalists France.

Her appointment as the first female head coach of D’Tigress in 2023 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

In the same year, she led the team to their fourth consecutive FIBA Afrobasket Women’s Championship, showcasing her exceptional coaching skills.

⁩The All-Star Five of the events include A’ja Wilson (USA), Gabby Williams (France), Breanna Stewart (USA), Alanna Smith (Australia) and Emma Meesseman (Belgium).

Others on the list include Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Satou Sabally (Germany), Valeriane Ayayi (France) and Ezi Magbegor (Australia).

The Women’s Basketball event’s MVP, according to FIBA, was A’ja Wilson, with Jade Melbourne (Australia) clinching the Rising Star award. Gabby Williams received the Best Defensive Player award.

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