Paris Olympics: Wakama is basketball's best coach, Kalu made the All-Star Second Team

It was the most impactful performance by an African team in history at the Olympic Basketball Tournaments and one of the main drivers of Nigeria's unprecedented success was the leadership of play caller Rena Wakama.

Just 32 years old, Wakama has been deservedly crowned Best Coach after guiding D'Tigress to an array of historical achievements in Paris.

Nigeria made everyone sit up and take notice by beating Australia on opening day and that was the first time they had won a Group phase game.

A few days later Nigeria stunned Canada to become the first African team to take two wins at the Games, once again their tenacious defense providing the platform for success.

Even more impressive, this secured them a ticket to the knockout phase and they became the first African team in history, men or women, to play in the Olympic Quarter-Finals.

 Their campaign eventually came to a close when they were beaten by the USA, but even then they showed their fighting spirit and qualities until the very end.

Also, there were so many great performances at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 that the need for recognition via an All-Star Five Second Team was stronger than ever.

Ezinne Kalu was phenomenal for Nigeria in their history-making campaign. The point guard was a major force behind them becoming the first-ever African team to play in the Olympics Quarter-Finals. She averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Others in the All-Star Five Second Team are Julie Vanloo who could barely have done more in the Bronze Medal Game to deliver a first-ever medal for Belgium after dropping 26 points and 11 assists, but the Cats just came up short against Australia. Overall, the guard averaged 14.0 points, 2.7 boards and 6.8 assists.

Satou Sabally who helped Germany to make history as the new kids on the Olympic block won their first game and quickly doubled that tally to reach the knockout phase. The forward memorably lit it up with 33 points against Japan and finished with an average of 18.8 points, 5.8 boards and 2.0 assists per outing.

The team also included Valeriane Ayayi who endured a bitter-sweet finish as France took silver in that dramatic one-point loss in the title game. The winger showed her leadership throughout the tournament and registered 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

And lastly, Ezi Magbegor had a last day to remember with a record-breaking performance efficiency valuation of 45 in the Bronze Medal Game. The Opals' center netted a double-double of 30 points and 13 rebounds, eventually averaging 11.5 points, 6.0 boards and 2.5 assists per contest.