(NAIROBI) Kenya - Victoria Reynolds arrived in the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi from USA a few days ago ready to lead the 'Lionesses' onslaught in the upcoming 2021 Women's AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers.

Reynolds is part of group of new players looking to debut for Kenya. 

The newcomer is aware that Kenya finished second to Egypt in Kampala, Uganda, in the 2019 Women's AfroBasket Qualifiers, and benefited from a wild card for the Finals in Dakar, Senegal. So a lot of hard work is needed.

"PLAYING ON THE SAME STAGE AS MY DAD IS MOTIVATING. I AM MOST EXCITED TO PLAY ALONGSIDE MY TEAMMATES AND PUT KENYA AMONGST THE BEST IN AFRICA."- Victoria Reynolds

Reynolds, who played for the College of William and Mary from 2016 to 2020, said she is happy to bring a different approach/style to the game from what she learned playing stateside.

She is determined to help the 'Lionesses' - runners-up at the 1993 Women's AfroBasket festival also in Dakar - reclaim their position as a top team both in the East Africa region and in the continent.

This has been manifested from her training sessions with the rest of the team since her arrival. Reynolds is one of the eight foreign-based players called to the team.

And the 23-year-old forward's target is to emulate her father, 'Big' Ben Wanjara by playing for the national team in Africa's biggest stage.

But first, Kenya must get past favourites Egypt, Rwanda, Uganda and debutants South Sudan in the Qualifiers for her dream to become a reality.

"I feel honoured and blessed to be named to the side. I am very grateful to have been selected and have the opportunity to represent Team Kenya," Reynolds told Fiba.basketball.

"I am happy to be here finally and I am glad that so far the training is going on well. I did not know what to expect but so far everything is fine."

Victoria Reynolds - Photo courtesy of William and Mary University

Despite being new to the team, she is getting to understand her team mates each day in practice. Things will eventually come together after more training sessions.

"I like the high spirits and competitiveness. You can tell there is a drive to learn and win. Whether training in the morning or in the afternoon, the drive remains the same."

For two years now she has followed the Lionesses performance and noted that they have the potential. Now she is ready to help Kenya become a giant basketball nation in the continent once again.

"I believe this year’s team will be more ready and capable of ensuring that Kenya is recognised again as one of the top countries in Africa," she said.

But what excites the 1.80m (5ft 10in) versatile player more is the fact that should they make it, she will have a rare opportunity of joining her dad in donning the Kenya national team colors.

Her father appeared for Morans in Kenya's last FIBA AfroBasket championships in Nairobi in 1993 anchoring them to fourth position – their best-ever placing.

"It is a crazy thought," she said after being named in the provisional side. "I am ready and exited for the team and myself to live up to those standards."

"Playing on the same stage as my dad is motivating. I am most excited to play alongside my team mates and put Kenya amongst the best in Africa."

Victoria Reynolds - Photo courtesy of William and Mary University

Two years ago she had an opportunity to train with the team handled by her uncle Ronnie Owino as they prepared for the Kampala games. It was then that  she started following Kenyan basketball consistently.

She was impressed by the level and competitiveness of the team and promised to be back to join the team some day. The time for her to show her mantle is now.

"It was exciting. I wasn’t sure what to expect but nonetheless, I enjoyed getting to know some of the women briefly and having the opportunity to practice with them," she noted.

Uganda-based head coach George Mayienga observed that Reynolds understands the game and will be key to the team’s hopes in the tournament.

"She is very sharp. She can play the two man and the three man positions very well but I will prefer her as a forward because of her penetrations and drives," Mayienga confided.

"Her percentage from the line is equally good, she knows what to do with the ball and can also play good defense. Besides, she can also assist and score."

With Reynolds and Mercy Wanyama bringing that vital outside touch to the team and already working together to form a working combination, there is hope.

FIBA