For Mary Akinda, basketball became the pathway that brought her from Lagos to the United States in pursuit of a dream.
After arriving in America, Mary joined Barton Community College, where she spent two excellent seasons developing her game and growing into one of the leaders of the team. With hard work, discipline, and determination, she steadily improved every year and established herself as one of the program’s most important players.
During her sophomore season, Mary took another major step forward. She averaged more than 10 points and more than 10 rebounds per game, consistently recording double-doubles and becoming the clear centerpiece of her team. She played in 28 games, starting 20 of them, and made an impact every time she stepped onto the court.
Her performances quickly attracted the attention of some of the strongest universities in the country. Eventually, Rutgers University — one of the major basketball powerhouses in the United States — offered Mary a full basketball scholarship, a place on the roster, and the opportunity to continue both her athletic and academic career at the highest collegiate level.
Among many impressive offers, Mary chose Rutgers as the next destination in her journey.
Her story is another example of how college basketball can change lives and open doors for talented young athletes around the world. We hope that Mary continues to elevate her game and that one day we will see her competing on the stage of NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament and eventually hearing her name called in the WNBA Draft.
We wish her continued success, unforgettable victories, and the opportunity to make every dream become reality.