ROSE OUMA | TEAM:Wayland Baptist University, Texas-USA | POSITION: GUARD

Rose Ouma in Action for WBU Queens

Rose Ouma has been named as a 2009 NAIA 3rd team All-American. The 5-10 junior forward from the Republic of Kenya was second in the nation in steals during the 2008-09 season. Rose Ouma, who moved last season from Lewis & Clark Community College to Wayland Baptist University in Texas, USA has been instrumental in the WBU's Womens Basketball team, leading them to a 22-12 record, their best season in almost a decade, and a trip to the NAIA Women's Championship Tournament, the first time in five years for Wayland. After just a season at Wayland Baptist for teh Queens, Ouma has already bagged the 2009 NAIA 3rd team All-American honours, Sooner Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Newcomer of the Year awards.

At Lewis & Clark Community College, ouma was key point guard for teh Trailblazers as she earned the two-time 2nd team NJCAA All-American, named twice to the All-Region and All-Conference teams, bagged the LCCC MVP her freshman season & Conference freshman of the Year.

Before proceeding to the US, Rose Ouma was an all-round hardworking player for the reigning Kenyan Champions, Kenya Ports Authority- KPA, who had won four (4) back-to-back champions, in which she was part of teh last two. She loves the game of basketball for numerous reasons including the teamwork factor and the socializing aspect in which the game comes with. Ouma started playing basketball while in form one at Kapkenda Girls High school in Rift Valley Province (1999). She begun playing competitively in 2003 after joining KPA, moved to Kenya Railways for the 2004 Season, before returning back to KPA for the 2005 season.

Ouma's inspiration for the game is the love she has for it, and more so the support she gets from her family. "My parents, Mr. Ben Ouma and Mrs. Monica Ouma and also my brother, Maurice Ouma have really supported me" she says. They advice me when I have to make a decision, but leave it to me to make it, that I really respect" she adds. Ouma also goes on to mention the late KPA and Kenya Team veteran point guard, Susan Agoya as being her role model when it comes to the game. "She used to give me morale, advice and she was a good friend, KPA coaches Anthony KPA Coaches Anthony Ojukwu and Sammy Wanjohi, and Philip Onyango, and her Coach at Kenya Railways- Justus "Jazz" Akhwesa as persons who really influenced her game over the years. For Ouma, she is eyeing Pro-Basketball and would really love to play in the WNBA one day she says.
When off-season , the soft-spoken and ever jovial Ouma played for the Kenya Christian Industrial Training Institute- KCITI Ladycats, her college team in the University and Colleges Basketball League- UCBL. She won the UCBL 2005 Most Valuable Player award after leading the Ladycats past the USIU Flames in the 2005 finals. Ouma's efforts on the court have seen her being selected to the National team in 2003 and got to play against the Senegal National team. Her greatest achievement then in Basketball is being called to the National Team, and the confidence she has gained especially in playing point guard. "I used to really freak out when playing one, but now I have gained enough confidence and ready to take out any team, she says confidently.

Opinion on Basketball in Kenya:

"The Basketball level in the country is still low and I attribute this to the lack of exposure to more tougher teams, the competition isn't much- same players year in-year out, and the tournaments are few, she points out. Ouma also adds "there is too much wasted basketball talent out there especially in the other towns, which needs to be tapped and nurtured. And lastly, we seriously need to get support from sponsors, market the game and the league, she adds. On the league, Ouma feels that this season has been at its best, very unpredictable, competitive and teams have really improved.

Ambition:
To become an accountant and still play competitive basketball

Personal Philosophy:
" You have to go the extra mile so as to achieve what you want, and don't forget God in all that you do"

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