14 March 2022 | Basketball

Last year, Jane Asinde became the second female basketball player out of Uganda to join and play for a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I school when she joined Wichita State University from Grayson College.

It has been a journey that started barely seven years ago at Budo Secondary School when the forward born to Chrispin Oloka and Janet Athieno in the Eastern district of Tororo was introduced to basketball and quickly soared.

Asinde quickly became the biggest basketball prospect in the country while at Budo and playing for Magic Stormers in the Women’s National Basketball League.

The quick rise in the game saw her earn a spot on Uganda’s team at the 2018 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup and the following year joined league champions JKL Lady Dolphins.

However, nine games into the 2019 National Basketball League season, Asinde was on the move to the United States to join Grayson College in Dayton, Texas.

She was only the third female basketball player out of Uganda to join a College in the United States. The other two are Sharon Karungi who played at California Baptist University, Northern Oklahoma College and Valparaiso University as well as Claire Lamunu who played at Vanguard University. 

In her first year at Grayson, Asinde was named the Conference Freshman of the Year, while also earning All-Conference and All-Region honors for Grayson. She averaged 13.4 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 53.9 percent from the field.

Asinde’s sophomore season was even better. She posted 18.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game on 52.4 percent shooting. She registered 21 double-doubles and scored 30 or more points three times, including a season-high 38 in the final game of the season.

Asinde was the 18th-rated player in the World Exposure Report Juco rankings. She earned WBCA NCJAA First Team All-American honors after a standout sophomore campaign that got Wichita State University calling.

This season, Asinde played 29 games for Wichita State Women’s Basketball Team (Shockers), making 22 starts. She led the Shockers with nine double-doubles and finished the season with 13 games of 10 or more points and 25 games with five or more rebounds. Asinde led the team in rebounding (8.4) and ranked second in steals (47) and blocks (26). She was third on the team in scoring at 8.7 points per game.

With the success she had in her junior season with Shockers, Asinde’s dream of playing in the WNBA is on track.

Other Women in Basketball soaring

Women's basketball in Uganda has been growing rapidly and this can be seen through the number of women playing at a high level.

Melisa Akullu had a great sophomore season with Vanguard University in NAIA averaging 18.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game just as Jamila Nansikombi at Moberly Area Community College in NJCAA.

JKL Lady Dolphins forward and National Basketball League MVP Hope Akello is showing no signs of slowing down as she continues to dominate locally as is her teammate Flavia Oketcho, the longest-serving active player.

Youngster Maria Najjuma, who is the biggest prospect in the country at the moment, joined the NBA Africa Academy earlier this year.

Celebrating Women in Sports

MTN Uganda is Celebrating Women in Sports and we would like you to nominate your outstanding woman in sports and shine a light on their greatness.

Nominate Here.

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