Rena Wakama Built HIVE BC Out of Fury, Faith, and the Players the World Slept On & It’s Beautiful Chaos

Rena Wakama doesn’t whisper when she walks into a room — she brings an entire résumé with her.

Nigeria’s Olympic history-maker. AfroBasket champion. Chicago Sky assistant coach.

Now, Unrivaled Head coach.

And now, the architect of Hive BC, a roster she built with intentional chaos, overlooked killers, and the kind of competitive edge you can’t teach — only survive.

And from the first sentence of her media availability, there was zero confusion about her team’s identity.

“We want to get up and down. Be disruptive defensively. I purposely drafted players who buy in on both ends. We’re going to score a lot of baskets.”

Translation: If the Hive were a car, they’d be a stolen Hellcat with no plates.

Wakama’s team is built like a group chat full of people with something to prove — and she handpicked them that way. Because in her world, doubt is lighter fluid.

“A lot of players I drafted were overlooked at some point. They play with a fire and an edge. A lot of people don’t think I should be in this seat either — but with the grace of God, I am.”

The words all were said so calm but it made the message resonate even louder because of her words having a lot of merit, the message was loud. Hive BC was a reflection of Wakama, a team that’s sharp, unafrad and built through entirely defiance of expectation.

A Black Woman Not Just Leading, Winning

When Rena Wakama talks about being a Black woman in coaching, she doesn’t shrink in the doorway of the moment. She steps right into it.

“It’s an honor… representation matters. Being recognized as one of the top young Black female coaches is amazing.”

Even though Wakama said it in the most humble way possible, she has every right to brag because her resume screams it louder.

She’s not a “storyline coach.”

She’s not a “diversity hire.”

She’s a force.

Which is why her answer about the WNBA’s slow-but-real growth in hiring Black women hit different:

“No pressure. I’m a firm believer that when it’s your time, it’s your time. I want to win. And us being on this stage matters — the level of basketball we play creates opportunities for others.”

For Wakama, representation isn’t decoration — it’s responsibility.

A Bunch of Stars Who Didn’t Wait for Permission

Let’s talk about the Hive roster:

Monique Billings — CEO of staying ready

Saniya Rivers — certified hooper since puberty

Natisha Hiedeman — walks into every gym with “and what about it?” energy

Ezi Magbegor — Australia’s national treasure

Sonia Citron — actually plays defense in 2026

Kelsey Mitchell — scoring God

This team is basically a mixtape.

And Saniya’s story? Yeah, Wakama lit up when she talked about her.

“Back in 2016 or 2017, I was volunteering with my AAU team and she was there — I said, ‘yo, she’s going to be a star.’ Seeing her go from 7th-grade Saniya to WNBA rookie is huge. If there was a chance to get her, I had to get her.”

That’s generational scouting.

That’s a full-circle moment.

That’s a coach who actually remembers who she sees in gyms.

And with Kelsey Mitchell?

“She’s coming off one of her best years. The girl is amazing. I know she’ll thrive in this setting. Let’s grow. Let’s get better.”

There’s a reason players love playing for her — she sees them.

“To Be Successful, You Have to Compete”

When Wakama dropped this bar, its almost like you could see heaven opening up and Pat Summitt nodding in approval.

“To be successful in life you have to compete. Respect the game by being great teammates, respecting officials, and respecting the game at the highest level.”

Respect + edge = the Hive ethos.

Wakama coaches like someone who’s had to fight through every door she now gets to walk through. And she embraces that:

“It takes a village to be successful. When you’re going through it, you don’t see it — but once you get to the other side, it shapes you.”

Wakama hyped up New York City like it personally built her in a basketball lab. The concrete jungle didn’t just raise her, it sanded her down like a subway turnstile. FIBA titles boosted her profile, and coaches like Teresa Weatherspoon and Ty just sharpened the blade.

But the end goal?

“I want to be a head coach in the WNBA. I’m super thankful — and hopefully I inspire more people to take this journey.”

She will.

She already is.

Because Hive BC isn’t just a team.

It’s a statement: overlooked doesn’t mean underqualified.

And Rena Wakama is about to prove it all over again.