Women's Basketball: Sanni Aims for Nigerian Team
July 26, 2006 12:21 PM | General
July 26, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University junior center Olayinka Sanni is one of 20 players trying out for the Nigerian women’s national team that will compete in the World Championships next month in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sanni, a 6-2 native of Chicago Heights, Ill., and from Nigerian descent, is one of 20 players formerly invited to the tryout that will conclude Friday, July 28, in Houston, Texas.
The final roster will be announced Monday, July 31, and should Sanni make the team, training for the World Championships would begin August 24.
“The practices are very intense,” Sanni said. “I’m playing a lot of older players who have kids and that have experience playing overseas. I’m trying to get used to playing with them. It’s another level of basketball. I’m the youngest here.”
“This is a great opportunity for Yinka,” WVU coach Mike Carey said. “I’m sure she’ll make the most out of her experience trying out and I’d be very surprised if she didn’t make the team. The experience she’ll gain will only help her and our team out this upcoming season.”
Notable players trying out for the team are former Syracuse Orange standout Chineze Nwagbo and current Oklahoma State Cowgirl Rashidat Sadiq. Kevin Cook, an assistant coach with the WNBA’s Houston Comets, will coach the Nigerians in Brazil.
