D’Tigress coach, Wakama joins WNBA’s Chicago Sky as assistant coach

Nigeria women head coach Rena Wakama has been named the new assistant coach at Chicago Sky of the US Women’s National Basketball Association (NWBA).

Wakama was announced into her new role in a statement released by Chicago Sky on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old US-born coach is the third assistant coach hired by Chicago Sky to support club head coach Tyler Marsh.

‘Rena has proven that she has a winning mindset and attitude. We’ve seen her success this past summer with the Nigerian National Team at the Olympics, building on an impressive winning record and extensive background in coaching and player development.

She is an excellent young leader and coach who will make a significant impact on the Sky’s program,’ Marsh said.

Wakama recently led the Nigerian Women’s National Team to new heights after gaining success in the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer.

She was hired as the Nigerian Women’s National Basketball Head Coach in June 2023 and became the first female coach to ever win the Women’s AfroBasketball title in August 2023.

She led Nigeria to the quarterfinals stage, where no African team, men or women, were able to make it out of the group stage prior to that.

As one of the youngest head coaches in Olympic history, Wakama was awarded Best Coach by FIBA after her achievements in Paris.