Things You Need to Know About Rena Wakama, D’Tigress Coach

Things You Need to Know About Rena Wakama, D’Tigress Coach

Rena Wakama is a Nigerian-American basketball coach and former national team player who made history as the first female head coach of D’Tigress.

Born on April 11, 1992, in North Carolina to Nigerian parents from Rivers State, she played college basketball at Western Carolina University and holds an MBA from Manhattan College.

She represented Nigeria as a player at AfroBasket 2015 and began her coaching career in the U.S., serving at various universities before being appointed D’Tigress head coach in 2023.

Historic Achievements:

✅ First woman to win multiple AfroBasket titles (10–0 record)

✅ First woman to coach Nigeria’s basketball team at the Olympics

✅ Led Nigeria to its first Olympic basketball win in 20 years

✅ First African team to win two group-stage games at the Olympics

🏅 Named Best Coach of the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Tournament by FIBA

Rena Wakama is a trailblazer who has redefined coaching excellence in African women’s basketball.