Head Coach of Nigeria's Women's National Basketball Team, D'Tigress, Rena Wakama etched her name in the history books after guiding her side to a remarkable 75-62 win over Australia in their Group B opener of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The feat was the team's first victory in the Olympic Games in two decades.

The reigning African champions started their campaign on a high note, dominating the first half with a 41-28 lead.

Australia staged a comeback in the third quarter, closing the gap with a 19-10 run.

Despite the comeback attempt by Australia, Nigeria regained control with a spectacular performance in the fourth quarter.

D'Tigress outpaced the Opals, ranked third in the world, with a 24-15 run in the final period to secure the win.

In this piece, MyNigeriaSports will explore some interesting facts about the young head coach of D'Tigress.

Born in the US to Nigerian parents

The 32-year-old was born in Raleigh, North Carolina to Johnson Wakama and Rosana Oba who are natives of Okrika, Rivers State.

Former player of D'Tigress

After completing college, she joined the D'Tigress where she played for the team at the 2015 Women's Afrobasket tournament in Cameroon helping Nigeria to finish in third place.

She also represented Nigeria's First Bank at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women during her career as a player.

First female head coach of D’Tigress

In 2023, she became the first female Head Coach of D’Tigress and became the first Nigerian National Female Basketball Team coach to win the competition since it began in 1966

First female coach to win the Women's AfroBasket

Rena Wakama became the first female coach to win the women's basketball continental championship in 2023.

She led D'Tigress to beat Senegal 84-74 in a thrilling final to emerge champions of Africa for the fourth consecutive time.