While the fortunes of women’s basketball in Nigeria continues to dwindle because of official negligence and lack of adequate sporting facilities, a young lady with a Nigerian heritage is making waves on American basketball courts. Step into the world of Nnemkadi Ogwumike. Generally called Nneka by her coaches, the media and her fans ( Her name has been shortened out of courtesy because people find it a bit difficult pronouncing it in full form ), the 6-foot-2 forward’s rise is phenomenal. Currently playing on a full basketball scholarship at Stanford University, Nneka’s success reflects the positive contributions of Nigerian emigration to the Western world.

Nneka has been a great success in America

Born in Tomball, Texas, to Peter and Ify Ogwumike who arrived in the United States in the early 80’s, Nneka attended Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas. She captained the school’s basketball and volleyball teams for three years. Her leadership qualities in high school were a taste of what was coming. After winning a string of awards including the Gatorade National and State Player of the Year Awards as a senior, and being named McDonald’s All American, many Colleges and Universities in the States started watching her. They tried to lure her with scholarships and other incentives, but Nneka settled for Stanford University. She’s definitely made a good choice as the Stanford women’s Basketball team is ranked as the 3rd best team in the USA. She’s also been named Pac 10 player of the year for 2010.

Though she’s American by birth, Nneka has strong ties with Nigeria.

What has set Nneka Ogwumike apart from her contemporaries is her attitude on and off the court. She does not focus on herself but prefers to inspire the teams she plays for. She also has the ability to square up against players who are bigger and stronger than she is. Her humility can be seen in the way she relates with her siblings, especially Chiney, [ Also a gifted basketballer ] with whom she’s built a relationship that has helped her develop her leadership qualities. Nneka was a co-captain of the U-18 USA World Championship Team that won gold at the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 2008. She was also the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Though she’s American by birth, Nneka has strong ties with Nigeria. She has visited the country five times and she understands Igbo, though she does not speak the language all the time. Her father also owns a technology company in Nigeria and administering the firm takes him abroad frequently. Nnemkadi means ‘ holding on to the love of a mother’ in the Igbo language. Though she wants to be a doctor in future, Nneka is more likely to keep making the headlines as a professional basketball star. The Nigerian Basketball Federation [ NBBF ] should keep tabs on the Ogwumike family and Nneka’s younger sisters, Chiney, Chisom and Erinma. The three girls are taking after their elder sister and they are good basketballers. Just like Mfon Udoka, [ The ex-captain of the D’Tigress, Nigeria’s Women Basketball Team, who was born in the States. ] they might play for Nigeria in the future if they’re motivated by the NBBF.

Tagged as: Basketball, nigeria, Nneka, Sport