Troys Felmas Koranga plays for the Kenyan national team

TROY, Ala. (WSFA) – A Troy trojan hits the national stage.

Troy women’s basketball striker Felmas Koranga will play for the Kenyan national team in the 27th next week, according to Troy Athletics.

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

Koranga became the first Kenyan-born woman to play Division I basketball last season, according to Troy. She has earned the honor of representing her home country at the FIBA ​​qualification event, which will be held at the Kigali Arena. The Kenyan national team will include Rwanda, Egypt, South Sudan and Uganda. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the FIBA ​​AfroBasket tournament in September.

During her junior year, Koranga saw progress on and off the pitch, the Trojans said. She was named Newcomer of the Year of the Sun Belt and received the award for the second team of the All-Sun Belt. She was also one of only two players in the Sun Belt Conference to average double-double at 12.8 ppg and 11.1 rpg. She was ranked 27th nationwide for most doubles doubles.

She was seventh nationally in offensive rebounds per game, 20th in rebounds per game and 22nd in total rebounds.

She saw an improvement in her skills as well as self-confidence. She says she became a better version of herself.

“I didn’t feel confident until I got to Troy,” said Koranga. “I wasn’t sure of a lot of things, especially talking. But Troy really helped me feel confident and as my confidence increased I just became a better version of myself. “

Koranga is one of 17 players who entered the team’s bubble camp in Nairobi West, Kenya.

“It’s an incredible opportunity, and not just because we have a student at Troy University [Kenya’s] Kader, but also for Felmas, ”said head coach Chanda Rigby. “I can only imagine the pride she must feel. She had a lot of followers at home who followed our games throughout the season, so it is all the more special for her to come back and represent her country. “

Rigby added that this was an incredible opportunity.

“It’s an incredible opportunity, and not just because we have a student at Troy University [Kenya’s] Kader, but also for Felmas, ”said head coach Chanda Rigby. “I can only imagine the pride she must feel. She had a lot of followers at home who followed our games throughout the season, so it’s all the more special for her to come back and represent her country.

The FIBA ​​AfroBasket tournament is the top women’s basketball event in Africa and presents the continent’s 12 best teams. It takes place every two years.

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