A former SFU women’s basketball star has made it to the big league.
It was recently announced that Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, who last played for SFU in the 2012–13 season, was named to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team New York Liberty. She was part of the team’s roster at the season tipoff on May 13.
Raincock-Ekunwe, who stands at 6’2”, is no stranger to playing at the professional level. After leaving SFU, Raincock-Ekunwe’s resume includes playing in Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and France. She represented Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, and played on Team Canada for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
During her time with the SFU Clan, she averaged 17.1 points per game and 10.4 rebounds, landing her as one of the all-time best at the school. Raincock-Ekunwe also holds countless Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-time records such as most rebounds in a game at 24.
Her jersey also hangs in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, after she led SFU to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s second division Sweet 16 tournament.
Bruce Langford, who coached Raincock-Ekunwe while she was playing for SFU, praised her for her skill and talent, saying, “She can rebound like a demon” and “doesn’t back down from any physicality.”
Langford also praised her for continuing to work on her game and elevating it to its current level.
“While here [at SFU], she had to work hard to get better and she has continued to do that after leaving,” Langford said in a statement to The Peak. “Our league is the best [second division] league in the NCAA and the challenge that provides allows players to maximize their potential.”
“She is a great young lady,” he said.
The New York Liberty won their season opener on with a score of 73–64 over the San Antonio Stars. Raincock-Ekunwe has signed a training camp contract with the team.
With files from SFU Athletics.
