Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Weledji to Represent Cameroon at FIBA Olympic Tournament
May 17, 2016 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Sophomore Tia Weledji of the Princeton women's basketball team was named to the preliminary squad of the Cameroon national team in preparation for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Weledji will join her sister, Nelly, as the team participates in the tournament that takes places from June 13-19 in Nantes, France. Should Cameroon advance to the quarterfinals, it would clinch a berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Being able to play the sport I love while representing my country with a chance of participating in the 2016 summer Olympics is something I would have never dreamed of,” said the sophomore. “International basketball is so much different from college basketball and it is so exciting to be learning from so many great coaches and players.”
“I'm so excited for Tia as she embarks on her dream of playing in the Olympics,” mentioned Princeton head coach Courtney Banghart. “Princeton's all about supporting its scholar-athletes in their pursuit of their passions and we are grateful for the work that was done by many of the faculty and in particular, academic dean Dov Grohsgal, to coordinate the necessary details for this to happen.”
The Cameroon national team finished second at FIBA Africa Women's Championship last year to qualify for the tournament this June. Cameroon's second place tally was its best finish ever in the Africa Women's Championship and mark the first time that the country made the qualifying tournament since 1984.
“I'm thrilled for this opportunity,” Weledji stated. “I am so incredibly thankful to God, my parents and family, my Princeton coaches and teammates, and everyone else who has been a part of making this unimaginable experience a reality.”