Former Barton Community College women's basketball standouts Regina Donanu and Vera Ojenuwa recently represented Nigeria's national team, D'Tigress, during a historic three-game exhibition tour against WNBA competition.
The tour marked a milestone moment for Nigeria women's basketball, as D'Tigress became the first African national team to compete against WNBA franchises in exhibition play while continuing preparations toward the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Both athletes earned First Team All-KJCCC/Region 6 honors during their Barton careers. Donanu collected the recognition following her sophomore campaign this past season, while Ojenuwa garnered the accolade following her freshman season in 2024 before transferring to the University of Arkansas and now currently competing at the University of Georgia.
Donanu was also the lone junior college player selected to Nigeria's 21-player training camp roster, joining a group heavily comprised of NCAA Division I talent from major programs including Stanford University, University of Maryland, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, Syracuse University, and Georgia.
Ranked among the world's top programs and the lone African nation inside FIBA's global top-10 rankings, D'Tigress used the training camp and exhibition slate as part of its continued transition toward a younger, NCAA-influenced roster core.
Both players share ties to Nigeria's national program through Barton assistant coach Annie Kassongo to the D'Tigress head coach Rena Wakama, who additionally serves as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky.
Assembling in Southern California, D'Tigress opened preparations with a training camp focused on implementing international systems, evaluating emerging talent, building chemistry, and preparing for elite competition ahead of the World Cup.
Nigeria opened the exhibition slate April 25 at Viejas Arena, falling 89-63 to the Los Angeles Sparks before traveling to Kansas City's T-Mobile Center for an 88-79 setback against the Minnesota Lynx. The tour concluded May 2 against the Indiana Fever in front of more than 10,000 fans, falling 105-57.
Ojenuwa saw action in the final two contests, logging 11 minutes against Minnesota before producing six points, four rebounds, and a steal against Indiana in 19 minutes of play. Donanu appeared in both contests as well, totaling 12 minutes across the two games while collecting a rebound against the Fever.
The opportunity carried special meaning for Donanu, who learned of her selection just one week prior to the opening of training camp before later sharing the floor and sideline experience alongside WNBA stars including Kelsey Plum and Caitlin Clark.
"I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from my teammates and our competition," Donanu said. "I'll take away the knowledge, but also the many connections and friends I made from the whole experience."
The selections continue Barton's growing presence on the international basketball stage, with both former Cougars advancing from the junior college ranks into elite national team competition. Ojenuwa and Donanu are expected to learn later this summer if they will be invited back for future national team training opportunities.
In an interview with the Great Bend Tribune, Barton head coach Alan Clark reflected on the accomplishment.
"Having one player from our program playing for Nigeria is great," Clark said, "but having two players from little 'ole Barton Community College be selected is amazing."
Sources utilized in story for context and background information:Great Bend Tribune:
Cougars play for Nigerian national team https://www.gbtribune.com/sports/collegiate/cougars-play-for-nigerian-national-team/
ESPN: Maryland's Okananwa leads D'Tigress refresh as Nigeria call up NCAA talent to face WNBA https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/48538929/maryland-okananwa-leads-dtigress-refresh-nigeria-call-ncaa-talent-face-wnba
ESPN: WNBA teams smashed Nigeria's D'Tigress... but it wasn't as bad as the scores suggest https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/48682581/wnba-teams-smashed-nigeria-dtigress-bad-scores-suggest