AfroBasket MVP honour exhilarates Okonkwo

Amy Okonkwo, a forward for the D’Tigress, is honoured to have been named the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket’s Most Valuable Player.

After defeating Senegal 84-74 in the Women’s AfroBasket final on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda, Okonkwo significantly contributed to Nigeria’s victory.

Nigeria’s victory made them the second team in FIBA Women’s AfroBasket history to claim four straight championships.

Along with Cierra Dillard (Senegal), Jannon Otto (Uganda), Sika Kone (Mali), and Tamara Seda (Mozambique), Okonkwo was the team’s star player for the All-Star Tournament.
Okonkwo emerged as the D’Tigress’ heart and soul throughout Nigeria’s unbeaten streak (5-0) in the Rwandan capital Kigali, averaging a team-high 17.2 points while chipping in 8.2 rebounds each game.

She eventually made history by becoming the first Nigerian woman to record two double-doubles (Murjanatu Musa had one).

The 26-year-old responded to receiving MVP awards by saying, “We have a coach who believes in us. It encourages us to persevere in the face of difficulty.

So, we were aware that we were in control of our fate. Even after Senegal returned, we were aware that we had to act and stick together, and we succeeded in doing so. This past summer, I was performing in Mexico, so I’m grateful for the chance to lead now. I also had the chance to serve as team captain.

“I reassured myself that I had nothing to lose by going to Kigali. And winning MVP is a tremendous honour.

Rena Wakama became the first female head coach to win a Women’s AfroBasket championship as a result of Nigeria’s success.

“We were down by 10 or 12 points against Mozambique. They pleaded with me as I gazed into their eyes, “Coach, we’re not going to lose this game..” The coach said, “And they rallied to win.

“For me, that was the turning point. My year has been very demanding. The biggest trophy of them all was this one, which I asked God to use as a sign.

Exactly 20 years have passed since D’Tigress’s first victory in Africa, which occurred in Maputo, Mozambique in 2003.