D’Tigress head coach, Rena Wakama, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky, the 2021 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champions.
The club announced her appointment on Tuesday, confirming that Wakama will work alongside head coach Tyler Marsh and fellow assistants Courtney Paris and Tanisha Wright.
“Rena has proven that she has a winning mindset and attitude,” Marsh stated via the club’s website. “We saw her success with the Nigerian national team at the Olympics, building on an impressive record in coaching and player development. She is an excellent young leader and coach who will make a significant impact on the Sky’s program.”
Wakama took charge of D’Tigress in June 2023 and made history by guiding the team to a fourth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in Rwanda. She then led Nigeria to a groundbreaking campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team secured historic wins against Australia and Canada before becoming the first African team—male or female—to reach the quarterfinals. Despite a valiant effort, they bowed out against the USA.
Her outstanding achievements in Paris earned her the Best Coach award from FIBA.
Expressing her excitement about the new role, Wakama said, “I am honored and grateful to Jeff and Tyler for giving me the opportunity to join the Chicago Sky family. Tyler has one of the best basketball minds in the industry, and I’m eager to help him bring his vision to life. I look forward to contributing to this organization and working with the incredible staff to create a brand of basketball that is not only competitive but also exciting to watch! Let’s get to work!”
Chicago Sky will begin their 2025 WNBA season on May 17 against Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
