USA-based basketball player Victoria Reynolds has said the team’s primary focus is on the FIBA 3X3 Africa Cup slated for December 3-4 in Cairo, Egypt.
Reynolds, who is based in the US, said the 5x5 team is preparing for the Afrobasket Qualifiers in February, the Afrobasket Championships, and the All-African Games both of which will be staged in August.
“Our main focus now is on the 3x3 Africa Cup which will be played in December. However, we will be having many other tournaments,” Reynolds said.
The team has also received a National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) scholarship in preparation for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Reynolds expressed gratitude for being part of the beneficiaries and said it gives her the morale to keep pace with the sport.
“Being one of the teams selected for the scholarship is an honour and something I do not take for granted.
"It means the NOC-K fraternity sees potential in us and believes we can achieve great things. We shall prepare adequately for the upcoming Olympics,” she said.
She added that she is preparing adequately for the Olympics by sharpening her skills to make sure the team is more successful.
She said she hopes to deepen her understanding of the 3x3 basketball as she is more conversant with the 5x5 basketball.
Reynolds said playing at the Commonwealth Games was an eye-opener for her as she got more experience from playing and watching other countries too.
“My main takeaway there was to keep working and never be complacent. It was just amazing to see so many athletes come together and compete. It was inspiring and motivating considering that was our first time competing on the big stage.”
Reynolds narrated how playing basketball has been a blessing to her as it granted her many opportunities. She revealed that through the sport, she got a scholarship to study at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“I have been able to travel all over the USA and learn a lot about different cultures. I have also gotten the chance to make long-lasting friendships,” she added.
Reynolds said her most memorable moment in the sport was winning the 2021 Zone 5 Afrobasket Qualifiers. She said it was special to her because that was her first time representing the country.
“People were skeptical if we would perform well and we proved them wrong…that was amazing. I hope to have many more moments like this with Team Kenya in the future,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds believes the grass will be greener in the near future as she hopes to play in the Euro League and Euro Cup.
“I also hope to play at the Women's National Basketball Association. I pray that Team Kenya improves with each year and show we have the potential to be great not only in Africa but in the world,” she concluded.
