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Regina Deteren Iornumbe, a proud native of Gboko Local Government Area in Benue State, has carved out an impressive career in women’s basketball, progressing from local school courts to professional leagues across Africa. Her journey, marked by perseverance and ambition, continues to inspire young athletes in Nigeria and beyond.
Deteren’s love for the game began at Government Secondary School, Gboko, where she first gained attention representing Queens of the Rosary Secondary School at the Nestlé Milo Basketball Championships. Balancing academics and sports, she studied Physical and Health Education at the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, earning her Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) before turning fully professional.
Her club career kicked off in 2011 with Delta Force, followed by moves to Plateau Rock in 2013 and Dolphins of Lagos the same year. In 2014, she joined First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos, where she spent nearly a decade, establishing herself as one of the most experienced figures in Nigerian women’s basketball. In 2024, she had a brief stint with Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou in Benin Republic while maintaining ties with First Bank. The following year, Deteren ventured abroad, first to Overdose Basketball Club in Cameroon and now featuring prominently for MFM Basketball Club, where she delivers consistent strong performances.
Beyond the court, Deteren pursued higher education, graduating with a degree in Physical and Health Education from Bayero University, Kano. Her versatility and consistency have shone in various FIBA competitions, reflecting her dedication to the sport.
In a 2019 interview with Daily Trust, she expressed her burning desire to represent Nigeria at the highest level, saying, “I want to play for D’Tigress. I am on my way already.” Though opportunities like the All Africa Games camp in Morocco and the 3×3 Africa Nations Cup were affected by age limits or injury, her ambition remains to win more trophies with First Bank and earn a call-up to the national team.
From humble beginnings in Gboko to professional arenas across the continent, Regina Deteren Iornumbe’s story stands as a powerful example of discipline, ambition, and resilience for aspiring young athletes chasing their dreams in women’s basketball.
