The Chicago Sky are the only team in the WNBA without any player in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be represented in the competition.
Sky assistant coach Rena Wakama is actually the head coach of the Nigeria women’s national basketball team competing in the FIBA World Cup. That said, Wakama left Chicago amid the WNBA pause and headed to Berlin, Germany, to lead her team.
Chicago even sent her a parting message to show their support for her.
Several members of the team also made sure to cheer for her before Nigeria starts its World Cup campaign, including Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
In a video posted by the Sky, Cloud can be seen getting hyped up as she delivered a heartfelt speech for Coach Wakama.
Robert Edwards - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Fired up! Fired up!” Cloud exclaimed in a message for Coach Wakama. “Coach Re, good luck at FIBA. You know what it is. I had so much respect for you over the years, leading that team, putting the Nigerian national team back on the map.”
She added, “I’m so proud of you as a black woman, just empowering others to be great, to be themselves, to have confidence in everything that they are. Really proud of you back at home. We can’t wait to see you, and let’s go get some dubs.”
Wakama’s Nigeria is in Group B of the FIBA World Cup. They face a tough road ahead, as they play Hungary, France and South Korea in the group.
Sure enough, however, Cloud and the rest of the Sky organization will be cheering for the Nigerians in their World Cup run.
