Kenya’s National basketball team player, Josephine Achieng Owino, will become the first Kenyan to play in the world’s top women’s basketball league; the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) league. The six-foot-four player was drafted in the third round of the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Owino was the 28th player selected overall in the draft. “Never in a million years did I think I think this would happen to me,” says Owino. “This is so unbelievable.”

The team, coaches, boosters, and members of the local media gathered at the home of Mark Campbell, Union’s head coach, to watch the draft. Owino stated, “It meant so much to me that my teammates were there with me. The fact that each of them believed that much in me just means a lot.” Owino was drafted alongside #2 overall draft pick, Marissa Coleman. Owino was being sought after by Connecticut and Minnesota but settled for Washington Mystics.

Owino was for the second year running voted NAIA’s player of the year as her college team, the Union University-Lady Bulldogs, dominated the competition’s post season honors list in the United States. Owino, who was also voted NAIA tournament’s Most Valuable player, scored 27 points, gathered nine rebounds and five blocks as Union University beat Lambuth University 73-63 in the finals to win its fourth NAIA Division One women’s basketball championships title at Oman Arena in Jacksons. Owino will graduate from Union University in May with over 2,123 points and 1,025 rebounds in her career. She, however, leads her university team with 19.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season. Also with Owino at the university are other Kenyan players Beatrice Awino Oyenje, Mildred Olumasi Imiriai and Sarah Zainab Chan.

Her success was well summarized by her coach at Union University, Mark Campbell, as “Owino has simply been outstanding”.

Owino’s breakthrough to the world’s most prestigious women’s league is a clear indication of the potential and talent Kenya has, and a morale booster to the many women playing basketball not just in the country, but in the East African Region. Alsa Basketball takes this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Josephine Achieng Owino on her success, and wish her well in her WNBA endeavours.

 

For More:http://www.uu.edu/athletics/wbball/

Report Courtesy of FIBA Africa
Photos: UNION University/Josephine Owino/Mystics