Felmas Koranga set to play for Kenyan National Team

TROY, Ala. – Troy women's basketball senior forward Felmas Koranga is set play for the Kenyan National Team in the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, July 12-17.

"I love my country and playing for the national team was something I was looking forward to," Koranga said. "My dad represented [Kenya] in soccer and my brother is currently playing for the national team so it was something I was really looking forward to, especially because I look up to both of them."

Felmas Koranga - Kenya

Koranga, who became the first Kenyan born woman to play Division I basketball this past season, has earned the honor of representing her home country in the upcoming FIBA qualifier event. The FIBA Women's AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifier will take place at the Kigali Arena in the Rwandan capital next week. Joining Koranga and the Kenyan National team in the qualifier event will be Rwanda, Egypt, South Sudan and Uganda with the winner of the tournament qualifying for the FIBA AfroBasket Tournament in September.

Koranga's junior season at Troy saw her progress both on and off the court. Not only did her skills improve on the court, but so did the confidence in herself. It was the growth in confidence that she attributes to her success and what has helped her reach the national team of her home country.

"I didn't become confident until I got to Troy," Koranga said. "I wasn't confident in a lot of things, especially talking. But Troy really helped me feel confident in myself and once my confidence went up, I just became a better version of myself."

Koranga is one of 17 players that have entered the team's bubble camp in Nairobi West, Kenya, as the team prepares to travel to Kigali later this week. The FIBA AfroBasket tournament is the top women's basketball event in Africa and features the top 12 teams from the continent. The event is held every two years with this year's tournament being the 27th edition.

"It's an incredible opportunity, not only because we have a Troy University student on [Kenya's] roster but for Felmas as well," head coach Chanda Rigby said. "I can only imagine the pride that she must feel. She had a lot of followers back home watching our games throughout the season so for her to be able to go back and represent her country is all the more special."

Troy University has long been a leader in international education and as a student-athlete, Koranga is only adding to the long legacy of international acclaim for Troy.

"In women's basketball at Troy, we want to put Troy on a national stage by being a proper reflection of the institution that we represent by showing how excellent the education and University is," coach Rigby said. "Felmas is doing just that by putting the University and our international ties on an international stage by representing both Kenya and Troy."

In her junior season Koranga was named the Sun Belt's Newcomer of the Year and earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors and was one of only two players in the Sun Belt Conference to average a double-double (12.8 ppg and 11.1 rpg). She ranked 27th nationally for the most double-doubles with 12. In the national rankings Koranga ranked seventh in offensive rebounds per game (4.7), 20th in rebounds per game (11.1) and 22nd in total rebounds (256).

Follow TROY Women's Basketball
Social: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Join The Conversation: #OneTROY

Troy University Athletics

Felmas Koranga set to play for Kenyan National Team

Players Mentioned

Felmas Koranga

Related Videos