EXCLUSIVE: WNBA star of Nigerian descent Chiney Ogwumike praises D'Tigress, targets creation of Women's BAL

Celebrated WNBA star, ESPN analyst, and NBA Africa ambassador Chiney Ogwumike visited Nigeria for the inaugural BAL4Her camp in Lagos.

Pulse Sports was at the event to speak to Ogwumike about several topics including the involvement of her foundation, Queens of the Continent (QOTC) and the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Upon her arrival in Nigeria, Ogwumike paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the state house.

She presented the Governor with a branded Houston Rockets jersey and discussed the important role sports has to play in youth development and community building.

From the meeting with the governor, Ogwumike set sights on the BAL4Her event held from August 29 to 31, 2025.

At the camp, Ogwumike was able to go through drills with aspiring basketball stars under the age of 23, impacting them with knowledge she has acquired over a decade involved with basketball.

Speaking to Pulse Sports on the importance of the event, Ogwumike expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership between QOTC and BAL’s BAL4Her initiative.

She said, "I love this collaboration between my foundation Queens of the continent and the Basketball Africa League.

"Their initiative BAL for her basically they find the resources which are these amazing players, the talent, and then I'm bringing my institutional knowledge, my expertise, my passion, and also my resources to make sure these ladies have all the tools to be successful.

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"So this is the first time we're having a BAL for her camp in Nigeria. Alongside my foundation, but it won't be the last."

Nigeria's senior women's national team known as D'Tigress recently won their fifth straight Afrobasket title.

Ogwumike spoke on the magnitude of the accomplishment and also stated that the trajectory for the team in sky high.

A former number 1 pick in the WNBA, Ogwumike celebrated the involvement of Chicago Sky Assistant Coach Rena Wakama leading the team.

She added, "D'Tigress are the standard now, not just, you know, when it comes to Africa, this continent, but also global standard for how you really make the most with the least.

"Because we know these women dealt with challenges and now they're 5 time Afro basket champions so they are truly inspirational and I believe that the credibility is there now.

"It's undeniable what their achievements. I mean many of the players playing in the WNBA now.

"And most importantly, our head coach is an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky coach Rena.

"So you know, being able to see them succeed at the highest levels and continue to push boundaries.

"I know the world is worried about Nigeria, but that is their problem, not ours."

Ogwumike then stated that her ultimate goal is to establish a women’s Basketball Africa League.

Drawing on her experience as a two-time WNBA All-Star and her role with NBA Africa, Ogwumike plans to leverage her platform, institutional knowledge, and resources to drive this initiative for the development of women's basketball.

She added, "Oh yeah, my number one goal is to create a female league here on the continent.

"So as much as there's BAL Basketball Africa League for the men, we should absolutely have a league for the girl, girls, and as the first female ambassador, I'm gonna push to make that happen."