By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF President Musa Kida has praised D’Tigress captain Amy Okonkwo following her latest career milestone after signing a developmental contract with the Atlanta Dream ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
Kida described Okonkwo’s rise as another strong statement of the growing global reputation of Nigerian basketball talent, commending her dedication, resilience, and impact on the international stage.
The Nigerian forward joins the Atlanta-based franchise after an impressive spell with the Dallas Wings, where she featured in eight games during the 2025 season before returning for training camp in 2026.
Okonkwo made headlines in 2025 after becoming the first undrafted player since 2000 to average more than 10 points while shooting at least 60 percent in her opening two WNBA appearances.
This is a feat that underlined her quality and readiness for the elite level.
Beyond her club success, the D’Tigress skipper has remained a dominant force for Nigeria on the continental scene.
She captained the national team to consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles in 2023 and 2025 and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player on both occasions.
Kida also praised the fighting spirit consistently shown by D’Tigress, noting that the team’s dominance in Africa and historic outing at the 2024 Summer Olympics have continued to elevate Nigeria’s status in world basketball.
Okonkwo’s latest WNBA opportunity is expected to further inspire a new generation of Nigerian basketball stars aiming to break into the global spotlight.
