Reynolds targets rise in European basketball

Kenya Lionesses' small forward Victoria Reynolds began her stay in Spain earlier this month where she has signed for Spanish LF2 side Miralvalle Baloncesto. 

In what is her first professional stint since leaving college basketball at the William & Marry College, the FIBA Africa Zone Five Most Valuable Player (MVP) has already featured for the side, having officially started her basketball career on 16 December 2021. 

"We believe that she is a player who is going to give us an important physical and quality leap. She is young and eager to continue growing and improving. 

She stands out for her versatility and being excellentas both a guard and a forward. She also plays in the interior positions with ease," said head coach Raul Perez. 

Reynolds was little known in the country, despite being the daughter of the legendary Ben Wanjara, former Kenya Morans player. She made her debut in Kenya for the national team, Kenya Lionesses, at the Zone Five Afrobasket qualifiers held on 12 to 17 July, 2021 where she helped the team clinch the zonal title and consequently qualify for the Women's Afrobasket held in September, 2021.  

Making her debut for Kenya Lionesses and playing in the zonal competition for the first time, Reynolds a Master’s Degree scholar in the United States helped Lionesses shake off a poor start in the preliminary stages of the championship to stun pre-tournament favourites Egypt 99-83 in the final.

Lionesses faced Rwanda in their opening match, going down 77-45, Reynolds stayed 12.51 minutes on the floor to score five points, in the only match she failed to hit double digits in points.

The Kenyan women bounced back to pick their first win against debutants South Sudan in a 66-48 score line, with Reynolds managing a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and 36 minutes of play.  

Up against Egypt in the final group-stage match, the 24-year old scored 25 points, five rebounds and four steals, in 37 minutes of play time, as Lionesses gave up a 25-point lead at half time to lose 107-106 to the North Africans.

In the semifinal where Lionesses played against Rwanda, the George Mayienga-coached side went hard for a 79-52 victory as Reynolds scored 16 points rebounded six times and had three steals.  

Coming up against defending champions Egypt in the final, the Lionesses were baying for blood and their resilience against hard-fighting Pharaohs paid off as they picked the title and booked their ticket to a second straight FIBA Women's AfroBasket and seventh overall.

Reynolds was again in her element scoring 25 points, making six assists, five rebounds and four steals to walk away with both the MVP and best Small Forward awards at the regional competition.

"I had put professional basketball on hold to concentrate on my schooling but now I have put my Masters on hold for this. So far I’m adjusting to the European game , slowly but surely. 

My target with the team is to gain a lot of experience. This is a competitive league that allows advancement in the European market, which is what ultimately I hope to do. I want to move up the ranks in the European leagues," offered Reynolds upon making her debut in Spain.