Okonkwo joins the Portland Fire on an injury replacement contract for Sarah Ashlee Barker, seizing a vital opportunity ahead of her 30th birthday.
Amy Okonkwo, captain of Nigeria's female basketball national team, D'Tigress, has received permission to temporarily depart the squad's ongoing playing tour in China. Her brief exit is for a crucial trip to the USA, where she will finalize transfer papers for a new Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) deal.
The veteran forward is set to sign with the Portland Fire, an opportunity that emerged after news of her signing from the Dallas Wings on a replacement player's standard contract. This significant career move comes as D'Tigress prepares for the FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany later this month, an event Okonkwo is expected to rejoin her team for.
This new deal marks a pivotal moment for the star, who will celebrate her 30th birthday on August 26th. The information regarding her temporary leave and WNBA signing comes according to reporting by Sports247 Nigeria.
A Pivotal WNBA Opportunity for Amy Okonkwo
Okonkwo has been cleared to join the Portland Fire under the WNBA’s Season-Ending Injury Exception clause. She will serve as a replacement for Sarah Ashlee Barker, who has been sidelined with a season-ending injury, making way for the Nigerian talent.
Born in Fontana, California, USA, Okonkwo described the move as a "great opportunity" for her career, especially as she approaches a significant milestone. “It’s a great opportunity. I’d love to come in and help however I can,” she stated, expressing her eagerness to contribute to her new team.
Journey to the WNBA and International Stardom
Okonkwo's path to this WNBA deal has seen her play for multiple teams both domestically and internationally. She played college basketball for the University of Southern California (2014-2015) before transferring to Texas Christian University (2016-2019).
Her professional career has included stints with the Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream in the WNBA over the past two seasons, where she appeared in nine games with one start. Overseas, Okonkwo has played three seasons in Spain, followed by a move to France in 2022, where she averaged 12 points and six rebounds per game. Her journey continued with playing periods in Israel and Mexico before her return to the United States.
D'Tigress Star Power and Olympic Spotlight
Okonkwo is widely recognized for her stellar contributions to the Nigerian national team. She gained significant international recognition representing Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
A two-time Women’s AfroBasket MVP, she averaged 17.4 points and 8.2 rebounds at the 2023 AfroBasket, further solidifying her status. She also led Nigeria to its fifth consecutive African title, contributing an average of 14 points per game in that victorious campaign. Okonkwo was an integral part of the Nigerian women's team that made history as the first African team (of any gender) to reach the Olympic quarter-finals, during which she averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Veteran Forward's Revival with Portland Fire
Joining the Portland Fire is seen as a significant revival for the veteran forward. During her time at TCU, she earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in both 2018 and 2019. A report by Yahoo Sports confirmed the signing, stating, “Portland Fire have signed Amy Nnenna Okonkwo to a standard WNBA contract as an injury replacement, in the wake of Sarah Ashlee Barker missing the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.”
The Yahoo Sports report also detailed her recent WNBA history, noting she averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals for the Wings over her past two WNBA seasons. She had returned to the Wings earlier this season on a training-camp deal but was waived before the season began, then signed a developmental contract with the Atlanta Dream on May 13th before being released on July 8th, paving the way for this new opportunity with Portland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amy Okonkwo?
Amy Okonkwo is the captain of Nigeria's female national basketball team, D'Tigress, and a veteran forward who has played in the WNBA and several international leagues.
Which WNBA team did Amy Okonkwo sign with?
Amy Okonkwo has signed a standard WNBA contract with the Portland Fire as an injury replacement player.
Why did Amy Okonkwo temporarily leave D'Tigress' China tour?
She received permission to temporarily leave the D'Tigress camp to travel to the USA and finalize her transfer papers for her new WNBA deal with the Portland Fire.
What is the WNBA's Season-Ending Injury Exception clause?
The Season-Ending Injury Exception clause allows WNBA teams to sign a replacement player when one of their rostered players is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury, as was the case with Sarah Ashlee Barker.
When is Amy Okonkwo's birthday?
Amy Okonkwo's birthday is August 26th, and her new WNBA deal comes just two weeks before she turns 30.