Placed in Group B, the Canadian women’s basketball team will have their work cut out overcoming the challenges posed by France, Australia, and Nigeria. Regardless, the roster possesses enough firepower to cause some serious issues to any opponent standing in their way. One of the catalysts who has the credentials to make it happen is the 8-year WNBA veteran Natalie Achonwa.

While she has taken many significant strides in her professional career, her personal sphere is no short of noteworthy talking points. Among the ones that can pique the interest of anyone who follows her game, is who has stood as a pillar for her throughout her illustrious career.

A peek into the personal life of Natalie Achonwa

For the time being, there is no official news that attaches a marital status next to Natalie Achonwa. However, that doesn’t mean that she isn’t romantically involved. She is currently engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Mario. The couple have been together for quite some time and Achonwa misses no opportunity to credit Mario for her professional success.

By the end of November 2022, the couple delighted their supporters with a major announcement. Through an Instagram post captioned, “Adding New Teammate 2023,” the Notre Dame alumna announced her pregnancy on the day she turned 30.

A while after, Natalie Achonwa didn’t shy away from flaunting her “beauty in simplicity” through a pregnancy bump on social media. Following this, just a little over a year ago, she became a first-time mom and welcomed a baby boy into the world.

She then opened up about how life changed for her after this. She detailed the role of her son Maverick behind the transition of basketball, which earlier was her life, to now being just a part of her life.

Achonwa expressed, “Giving birth, being pregnant, being a mother has been a lot. It’s definitely something that is very demanding in all aspects. Mentally, physically, emotionally. I’ve always said that Maverick will be first regardless of what my career will be. Every day when I went to work out, I made it that I wanted to choose to play basketball. It’s not something that I have to do.” 

Now, as she embarks on her journey to Paris, 1-year-old Maverick will witness her mother becoming the first Canadian basketball player to feature in 4 consecutive Olympic Games.

Achonwa adds another feather to her cap

At the tender age of 16, Natalie Achonwa scripted history by becoming the youngest basketball athlete to make it to the Senior Women’s Team. Moreover, she was also the youngest participant in the team at the London Olympics in 2012. Fast forward 12 years, another historic moment awaits her when she captains the Canadian National Team in her 4th straight appearance at the global sporting event.

Recently, she opened up on the opportunity of performing in front of her son for the first time in the Olympics. Achonwa said, “Getting to see Mav in this environment makes it that much more special. Seeing that he has so many people that he brings joy to and that love and care for him too means everything.”

A total of 117 games in red and white colors means that Natalie Achonwa possesses enough experience to bag the first gold for her country. The journey to the medal’s podium will be tough but not impossible given the experience she has. Only time will tell what the future holds this time around for the dynamic power forward.

Stay tuned for more such updates.  And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.