Joanne Aluka-White


Joanne Aluka-White is a Nigerian-American basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team. She was previously an assistant coach at Charlotte and FIU. She played college basketball for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and represented Nigeria at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Early life and education

She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, and acquired Nigerian citizenship through her parents. She attended Hephzibah High School in the state of Georgia. She was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State with a bachelor's degree in behavioral science in 2001 and went further to complete her master's degree in human performance with a concentration in sports management in 2003. She married Fred White and they have twins, Daniel and Gabrielle.

Playing career

Aluka competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, with the Nigeria women's national basketball team. After the Olympics, Aluka joined and played for a while with the Dallas Fury in the National Women's Basketball League.

Coaching career

Aluka experienced her first coaching job at FIU where her responsibilities included assisting with recruiting, on-floor game and practice coaching as well as promotions and camps.
Aluka-White became an assistant coach for North Carolina in 2019.

Achievement