Wake Forest induct Wakama in Hall of Fame

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Rena Wakama has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Wake Forest High School as part of its Class of 2026, in recognition of her achievements as a player and coach on the global stage, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The D’Tigress head coach was listed among five honourees celebrated at the school’s induction banquet.

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The Class of 2026 also includes Graham Bunn, Ron Daniel, Andre Smith, and Earl Smith.

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Reacting to the recognition on Tuesday, Wakama attributed the milestone to collective support and divine guidance, noting that the honour reflected a shared journey rather than an individual accomplishment.

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“All glory to God, the legacy was never mine to keep, only His to build,” Wakama wrote on Instagram.

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“Thank you to my village, this legacy belongs to all of us. Wake Forest High School, thank you.”

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The 34-year-old has risen rapidly in the coaching ranks, combining her role with D’Tigress with duties as head coach of Hive BC and assistant coach at the Chicago Sky.

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She made history in 2023 by becoming the first female head coach of D’Tigress and subsequently the first Nigerian to lead the women’s national team to a AfroBasket title since the competition began in 1966.

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Under her leadership, Nigeria won a fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown and seventh overall, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final in Abidjan in August 2025.

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The North Carolina born coach also enhanced her reputation at the 2024 Olympic Games, where D’Tigress became the first African team, male or female, to reach the quarter-finals of Olympic basketball after a 79–70 victory over Canada. The impact earned her the Best Coach award from the International Basketball Federation.

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Following Nigeria’s triumph at the 2025 AfroBasket Championship, players and officials of the team were rewarded by President Bola Tinubu with cash bonuses, housing and national honours.

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Each player received $100,000 and a bedroom flat, alongside the Officer of the Order of the Niger, while members of the coaching crew were awarded $50,000, similar housing allocations and the same national honour.

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Wake Forest High School is a public secondary institution in North Carolina and part of one of the largest school districts in the United States that serves students from grades nine to 12 and maintains a strong tradition of recognising excellence through its Hall of Fame.

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Its induction ceremonies celebrate former students, staff and contributors who have made significant impacts in sports, education and the wider community.

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Wakama’s inclusion underscores her growing influence in international basketball and her role in elevating Nigeria’s status in the women’s game.

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