D'Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Wake Forest High School as part of its Class of 2026. The 34-year-old, born in North Carolina, was one of five honourees recognised at the school's induction banquet, joining Graham Bunn, Ron Daniel, Andre Smith, and Earl Smith. The accolade highlights her journey from grassroots basketball to becoming a trailblazing figure in international women's basketball. Wakama, who attended Wake Forest High School, credited faith and community for her success, writing on Instagram, "All glory to God, the legacy was never mine to keep, only His to build. Thank you to my village, this legacy belongs to all of us. Wake Forest High School, thank you."
In 2023, Wakama made history as the first female head coach of Nigeria's senior women's basketball team, D'Tigress. Under her leadership, the team claimed their fifth consecutive Women's AfroBasket title in 2025, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final in Abidjan. This victory marked Nigeria's seventh continental title overall and made Wakama the first Nigerian coach to lead D'Tigress to an AfroBasket championship since the tournament began in 1966. Her tactical approach and player management have been central to the team's dominance in African basketball.
Wakama's Hall of Fame induction is built on a career defined by breaking firsts, not just winning titles. She now stands as both a symbol and architect of change in Nigerian basketball, having delivered continental dominance while reshaping who gets to lead. As the first female head coach of D'Tigress and now their first title-winning coach in AfroBasket history, her legacy is measured in milestones as much as medals. Her journey from Wake Forest High School to Nigeria's coaching pinnacle reflects a rare convergence of personal roots and historic impact.
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