By: Émilie Leger
GoRhody.com staff
 
Five years ago, Adeniyi Amadou and Tammi Reiss left the comfort of Syracuse University to take a chance on Kingston, Rhode Island. The record of the University of Rhode Island women's basketball team in the 2018-19 season, that they came to proceed, was 8-21 overall, with a 3-13 conference record. Coming into a program with these numbers is a challenge for any coaching staff to develop. There was work to be done, but Amadou and Reiss were ready to change the face of URI women's basketball, develop a strong team, and elevate the program; they didn't come just to win games. The ideas these individuals brought to the team led to a dozen international players coming to Kingston, adding some French flavor to the bench. Six of the thirteen players on the current roster are French natives. The 2022-23 URI women's basketball team was the A-10 Regular Season Champions having a record of 26-7, and a 14-2 conference record. In less than five years, the program has experienced a complete turnaround, and it is only going up from here.
 
The URI women's basketball team currently houses these French natives, Anaelle Dutat '26 from Cesson, Hawa Komara '26 from Toulouse, Ines Debroise '26 from Paris, Mayé Touré '24 from Athis-Mons, Tenin Magassa '24 from Morsang-Sur-Orge, and Sophie Sene '26 from Nice.
 
Amadou, a French native, is no stranger to leaving comfort behind, years ago, the 18-year-old left his family, friends, and home of Paris, France, to pursue basketball and his education. He began his undergrad in journalism at United States Military Academy at West Point then transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, making his mark his final year leading the team in offensive rebounds. Eventually, he went on to attend Syracuse to get both master's and Doctorate degrees in political science and journalism. Shortly after graduating, he began coaching.
 
Dayton, Kentucky, and Syracuse all had the opportunity to experience Amadou's international recruiting, however the players and energy he brings to Rhode Island have been unmatched. Amadou's role on the team is the Associate Head Coach, he handles game scouting, recruiting, as well as the training and well-being of the players. He has become one of the premier developers of post players in the country. It is no surprise that all of the post players on the current URI women's team are French. He attributes his ability to connect, network, and create relationships to his background in journalism. Amadou added "being a journalist helps to recruit and to create relationships with these people and their families, you learn their history, what they want, and their dreams… To be a good recruiter is to build good relationships with people." His background playing basketball aids his connection with the international players, as well as he was in their exact position and had the same dreams as they do.
 
Coach's Amadou and Reiss' goals coming in were simple. Using what they had learned and experienced at Syracuse and their three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, they crafted a mission. The URI women's basketball team was to be as competitive as the program at Syracuse, but a big difference was the importance of creating something human while also creating and maintaining authentic relationships. "It takes a village", Amadou stated when speaking of the coaches and staff of the team. The transition to bring these French players here was never said to be an easy feat, but they wanted to create something meaningful. The coaches and staff all have the same goals and values in mind; they are present every day, and consistently give their time and assistance to others. It is both teaching and giving, coaching is not comprised of one thing, coach, or staff member, it takes everyone, the entire village, and the support of the URI community.


 
But why go international, why recruit French players? What sets them apart from American players?
With the record URI women's basketball had in the 2018-19 season, Amadou and Reiss ran into a recruiting roadblock. No American players wanted to come to Kingston with the reputation of the program. International players, however, saw Kingston as an opportunity they never had before.
 
"The French and international players, they see Rhode Island in a different way than the Americans [do]."
 
French basketball players who want to compete in the states typically come from professional clubs in France, playing at this level required them to mature at an early age. These players leave their homes and families, and everything that they know behind, to have the opportunity to play basketball and study at a high level. In France once you finish high school, you take an exam called the baccalauréat, or the 'bac', this allows you to obtain a national academic qualification that is required to attend university.
 
"The French players we recruit, for them, basketball was very important, they want to become professional players, they want basketball to be their career one day. But also, in this world, it is important to have a basketball [focus], but also an academic [focus]. The United States gives the opportunity to do both. In France, you need to choose."
 
Amadou shared a bit of his personal experience as well, "When I arrived at 18, after the bac, I had to choose, is it basketball or studies? In the United States, you can do them both at university. This is an environment that is perfect because it allows them to play basketball at a high level, and study at a high level at the same time." 
 
Even with the improvements that the program has seen over the last few years, the population of French players on the team continues to slowly grow. Gaining international coverage and credibility, including players that represented France, have contributed to the rebuilding of URI basketball. With the turnaround of the program, the university received more credibility and recruits are no longer difficult to find.

So, why stay with the French? What differentiates them from American players?
 
"When [the French players] arrive at university, they are very concentrated, and they are very determined, the goal is clear. They leave their families in France, for a very specific goal in the United States. From this point of view given the age, I think that they are a little more advanced compared to the American players, because they arrive with a goal in mind."
 
It was not the goal to solely recruit international players, but rather the most genuine ones. Amadou and Reiss wanted to create a team culture that has the best players, but also the best people. They wanted a team full of individuals who are generous, respectful, kind, and intense in everything that they do: basketball training, relationships, and studies. Bringing this type of culture to the team has changed the reputation of Rhode Island Hoops, as well as the record books. "We are proud of that, that we recruit the good people," Amadou reflected. These characteristics are not limited to French or international players however, as Amadou also spoke highly of Sophie Phillips '26, as well.
 
There is so much more to these players than their nationality and how they perform on the court. They are generous, giving, artistic, friendly, reserved, yet full of so much personality. The talent that these women have brought has also brought much credibility to the university on an international scale. This success and credibility, though impactful, did not change any plans for the coaches. "We continue to try to be very serious in the scouting job of bringing the best people here" says Amadou.
 
"I am very proud because I explain to them every day, there are people, [like] the Americans, that this is their first-time meeting a French person, those who come from France. So, it's important of course to behave yourself, to be a good representation of France. I think that they are all lovely ambassadors for France, for the country."
 
During the school year these players entire lives are in Kingston, but over the summer that changes. Summer gives these French players the opportunity to return home and spend time with family and friends, but also implement the things that they learn in Kingston. FIBA, (Fédération International de Basketball) the International Basketball Federation, has played a large role in summer success for these players. This past summer, Debroise '26 and Dutat '26 had the honor to compete for and represent their country. Dutat was named best defender at the FIBA U20 tournament. She was also recognized by the A-10 Conference as being the only sophomore awarded Preseason All-Defensive squad. The summer before, Touré '24 had the honor to compete and represent their country as well. The success with international play in FIBA has been imperative to growing their individual confidence and skills that they learn at Rhode Island. Though the summer play doesn't last long, it is extremely impactful, as we have seen with the personal growth of Mayé Touré '24 during her time with the Rams. Touré was named 2022-23 A-10 Conference Most Improved Player of the Year. These experiences are not only allowing them to improve as players, but to grow as women as well.
 
            The energy this team radiates is infectious, and the power of women in sports is inspiring.
 
            Over the last five years, this program has grown immensely, not solely due to the staff, players, or community support, but everything all together. URI is more than a community, a family, and a home. These players are so much more than a representation of a country, stats, or a name on a jersey, regardless of if they are international or not. With the winning of the A-10 regular season as well as a 4-year contract extension for Coach Adeniyi Amadou last year, they began 2023 summer training with a bang. This year's new players, and the announcement of Head Coach Tammi Reiss being on the Kathy Delaney Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year watch list, sets this season up to be one of their best.
 
The Rams home opener is Tuesday, November 7, at 6 p.m. against Sacred Heart at the Ryan Center.