Rena Wakama Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Parents, Nationality, Height, Basketball Career, Family, Net Worth

WikiStars July 30, 2024

Rena Wakama Biography

Rena Wakama is a talented Nigerian professional basketball coach and former player. She has gained recognition in the basketball community for her contributions both on and off the court. Rena Wakama made history as the first Nigerian female head coach of the national basketball team.

As a player, she represented Nigeria in the 2015 Women’s Afrobasket tournament, where Nigeria finished third. Later, she transitioned to coaching and became the head coach of the Nigeria Senior Women’s Basketball Team (D’Tigress) in 2023. Under her leadership, D’Tigress secured an unprecedented victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, defeating Australia in their opening match.

Rena Wakama Age

Rena Wakama was born on April 11, 1992, making her 32 years old as of 2024.

Rena Wakama Height

Rena Wakama stands at 5 feet 7 inches (5’7″) tall.

Rena Wakama State Of Origin

Rena Wakama hails from Okrika in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Rena Wakama Parents

Rena Wakama’s parents are Johnson Wakama and Rosana Oba. They are both natives of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Rena Wakama Education

Rena Wakama has an impressive educational background. She graduated from Western Carolina University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. During her time at Western Carolina, she was a standout player on the women’s basketball team, the Catamounts, making 121 starts over her four-year career and earning Southern Conference All-Tournament Second Team honors in her senior year.

After her undergraduate studies, Wakama pursued further education and obtained an MBA from Manhattan College in 2019. While at Manhattan College, she also contributed significantly to the women’s basketball program, serving initially as the Director of Basketball Operations and later as an assistant coach.

Rena Wakama Career

Rena Wakama’s journey in the world of basketball is marked by her transition from a player to a highly respected coach. Her career has been a testament to her dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport. Let’s explore her career journey:

Educational Background and Early Playing Days

Rena Wakama’s basketball career began to take shape during her time at Western Carolina University. She enrolled at the university and became a standout player on the women’s basketball team, the Catamounts. Over her four-year career, she made 121 starts and was known for her exceptional skills and leadership on the court. Her senior year was particularly notable as she averaged 10.4 points per game and earned Southern Conference All-Tournament Second Team honors. .

Transition to Professional Basketball

After graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2014, Wakama briefly pursued a professional playing career. She played in the United Kingdom and participated in the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women with Nigeria’s First Bank team. Her playing career, though short-lived, provided her with valuable international experience and exposure to different playing styles and strategies.

Entry into Coaching

Wakama’s transition into coaching began at Manhattan College, where she initially served as the Director of Basketball Operations. This administrative role was far removed from the spotlight of the basketball court but allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of the organizational aspects of managing a basketball program. Her responsibilities included overseeing team logistics, academic coordination, and community service initiatives.

Rise to Assistant Coach

Her capabilities quickly earned her a promotion to assistant coach at Manhattan College. In this role, Wakama was responsible for developing the wing and guard position players, a task she undertook with great enthusiasm and expertise. Under her guidance, the team achieved a program-high 3.61 team GPA and finished fifth in Division I women’s basketball in community service hours. Her work with individual players also led to postseason All-MAAC accolades for several team members.

Appointment as Head Coach of D’Tigress

Wakama’s coaching career took a significant leap forward when she was appointed as the head coach of Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, in 2023. Her appointment came at a challenging time, just two weeks before the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament. Despite the short preparation period, Wakama demonstrated remarkable leadership and strategic acumen, guiding the team to victory and becoming the first female coach to win the competition since its inception in 1966.

Achievements with D’Tigress

Under her leadership, D’Tigress won their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title by defeating Senegal 84-74 in the final. This victory was historic not only because of the title but also because it marked the end of male dominance in the competition’s coaching ranks.

Rena Wakama Personal Life

Rena Wakama remains single and prefers to keep her personal life private. In interviews, she has confirmed that she is not married and is fully dedicated to her career.