Nainima joins Michigan Wolverines coaching staff

GOLD COAST (Australia) - Michigan's Women Basketball announced that Fiji national team player, Valerie Nainima will join their coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Nainima, who spent her last seven years as part of the Fordham University program's coaching staff was warmly welcomed to the Michigan Wolverines led by head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

"Val is one of the best developers of talent at the point guard position. I think a lot of that can be attributed to learning from someone like Dawn Staley, as well as her extensive international experience," Arico said in a release.

"She is an extremely hard-working and loyal individual who has a great ability to build relationships with players, recruits, and within the community. I am excited to have her energy and enthusiasm in our program." she added.

The captain of Fiji's women's national team, Nainima recently led her country to a Silver Medal finish in the 2019 Pacific Games to qualify for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

"I am thrilled to be joining Coach Arico and the Michigan women's basketball family. Coach Arico is a proven winner and has taken this elite program to new heights. She has a clear vision for where she wants the program to go, and I am excited to learn and contribute to its continued success. I am grateful and humbled to be a part of the Michigan family and cannot wait to get to work!" Nainima stated.

Nainima was born in Rakiraki, Fiji, and was formerly Basketball Fiji's Development Officer. The 34-year old Fijian native helped launched the Hoops For Health program in the country in 2014 and is now one of the pillars of basketball development in the country today.

FIBA