Rena Wakama Biography
Assistant Coach at Manhattan College
Rena Wakama is currently in her fourth year as an assistant coach at Manhattan College. Before stepping into this role, she spent two years as the Director of Women’s Basketball Operations for the Jaspers.
Coaching Responsibilities
As an assistant coach, Wakama is responsible for the development of the wing/guard position players. She also plays a significant role as the team’s academics and community service liaison. Under her guidance, the Jaspers achieved a program-high 3.61 team GPA this past year and ranked fifth nationally in community service hours among all Division I women’s basketball teams.
Player Development and Achievements
Wakama has been instrumental in the development of standout players such as Dee Dee Davis and Brazil Harvey-Carr, both of whom earned postseason All-MAAC honors during the 2021-2022 season. Davis was named to the First Team All-MAAC and the Second Team All-Met, while Harvey-Carr earned a spot on the All-MAAC Second Team. Davis had an outstanding season, averaging 18.3 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, leading the MAAC in scoring and reaching her 1,000th point during the MAAC Championship Semifinals. Harvey-Carr also made significant contributions, averaging 12.2 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Preseason Recognition
The success of Davis and Harvey-Carr continued into the 2022-2023 season, with both players receiving preseason All-MAAC recognition. Davis was selected as the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year and earned a unanimous spot on the Preseason First Team All-MAAC. Harvey-Carr was named to the Preseason Second Team.
Team Success and Accolades
During Wakama’s tenure as an assistant coach, the Jaspers have achieved numerous on-court accolades. Dee Dee Davis and Courtney Warley both earned individual awards, including Second Team All-MAAC honors. Emily LaPointe was unanimously named the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2019-2020, also earning spots on the MAAC All-Rookie Team and All-Met Third Team. Under Wakama’s guidance, the team achieved its best conference finish since the 2011 season. She also oversees the program’s annual #playGREEN kids summer camp.
Director of Women’s Basketball Operations
Before becoming an assistant coach, Wakama served as the Director of Women’s Basketball Operations (DOBO) for two years. In this role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the program, including organizing team travel and overseeing student managers. Wakama also coordinated all fundraising events and supported the program’s community service initiatives.
Early Life and Playing Career
A native of Raleigh, NC, Wakama was a standout player in high school, earning the title of North Carolina Cap-7 Player of the Year. She went on to have a successful collegiate career at Western Carolina University, where she made 121 starts over her four years with the Catamounts. During her senior year in 2013-14, she averaged 10.4 points per game and earned Southern Conference All-Tournament Second Team honors. Wakama was also a three-time SoCon Academic Team honoree.
Professional Playing Career
Following her graduation, Wakama played professional basketball in the United Kingdom and the FIBA African Basketball League. She also represented Nigeria as a member of the Senior Nigerian National Team. Before joining Manhattan College, Wakama served as an assistant coach for the Carolina Flames AAU organization, where she also played during her youth.
Educational Background
Wakama earned her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Western Carolina University in 2014. She later pursued further education, obtaining an MBA from Manhattan College in 2019.