Wesmen basketball duo join national team program

As a lights-out, knock-down shooter, all Uzoma Asagwara has ever needed is the basketball in her hands and an opportunity to succeed.

Asagwara proved that last year when she earned a spot on the Canadian women’s basketball team as a walk-on.

The national team coaching staff were so impressed by her abilities that she was invited back to try out again this year.

“I think the change from last year to this is that they had a good look at me last summer and they feel I possess many of the qualities they want on the team,” Asagwara said. “It is very rewarding to have received the invitation.”

Asagwara’s scoring ability is arguably the most noticeable part of her game.

Her former coach, Tanya McKay of the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, says Asagwara possesses the ability to score at almost any time.

“She is one of the most athletic players we have had in our program. There were games where she was unstoppable and very fun to watch,” McKay said.

A graduate of St. Norbert Collegiate, Asagwara went on to establish her presence in university basketball by leading the CIS in scoring from 2005-2007, as well as taking the Wesmen to the national championships twice.

At times during her university career, Asagwara was counted on to score 20 to 30 points a night. On last year’s national team, Asagwara scaled things back, taking shots only when they were available and relying on her court smarts.

“It is a completely different set of circumstances (in university basketball). There is really no comparison to international basketball,” Asagwara said.

“From what I had seen it was really night and day, just an entirely different level. It was really competitive, athletic and it takes another level of thinking. You basically need to have another level of basketball smarts.”

Asagwara says playing in last summer’s Olympic qualifiers was memorable, but disappointing, as the team didn’t perform as well as it would have liked. However, she feels it is only a matter of time until Team Canada turns the corner.

“I think the team is headed in the right direction. The national program has fantastic coaches and they have a lot of talent to choose from,” Asagwara said.

“I don’t think it will be long until Canada is at the forefront of women’s basketball internationally.”

Joining Asagwara on the national team program is current Wesmen guard Amy Ogidan, who was named to the developmental squad and is the first Wesmen rookie to make a national team since Beth Cochrane in 1982.

“What a tremendous accomplishment and opportunity at a young age. Her hard work is paying off. This international experience will only take her game to a new level in the CIS,” McKay said.

“Having both Amy and Uzo from the Wesmen program as part of the national senior program is amazing.”

Asagwara and Team Canada will get their first taste of international competition on July 21 in an exhibition game against Mali in France.

Meanwhile, Ogidan and the developmental squad will play a three-game exhibition series against the Chinese national team in Shanghai, China on July 18, 20 and 22.