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Monique Akoa Makani is a dynamic 24-year-old guard known for her scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess. Born in Bafang, Cameroon, she moved to France at age nine.
Initially a soccer player, she transitioned to basketball and quickly rose through the European club system, joining ASVEL Féminin’s youth academy at age 12. She spent nearly a decade developing there before moving to CSP Nantes-Rezé and then Charnay Basket, where she became a standout player in France’s Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Monique Geneviève Akoa Makani |
| Born | February 4, 2001 (Bafang, Cameroon) |
| Height/Weight | 5’11” (180 cm) / 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Position | Guard (Point/Shooting) |
| Nationality | Cameroonian / French |
| College | Did not attend U.S. college; developed through European club system |
| WNBA Draft | Undrafted (Signed with Phoenix Mercury in 2025) |
| Current Teams | Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Tango Bourges Basket (France) |
| WNBA Stats (2025) | 7.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 43.0% FG, 39.8% 3P, 92.7% FT |
| International Career | Cameroon National Team (2023 AfroBasket, 2024 AfroBasket Qualifiers) |
ASVEL Féminin (2018–2021): Made her debut in the LFB, contributing to the team’s success.
CSP Nantes-Rezé (2021–2022): Averaged 12.8 points per game, showcasing her scoring ability.
Charnay Basket Bourgogne Sud (2022–2025): In the 2024–25 season, she averaged 14.9 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, leading the league in steals and ranking fourth in assists and seventh in points. She also played in the EuroCup, averaging 13.6 points and 6.1 assists per game. Her performance included several standout games, such as a playoff-high 23 points against Tango Bourges Basket.
In March 2025, Akoa Makani signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. She made the team’s final roster and became a key contributor in her rookie season. Starting all 41 games, she averaged 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.8 steals per game, shooting 43.0% from the field and 39.8% from three-point range. Her consistent performance earned her a spot on the All-WNBA Rookie Team. Despite being undrafted, she played a crucial role in the Mercury’s success during the season.
Akoa Makani has represented the Cameroon national team, participating in the 2023 Women’s AfroBasket and the 2024 AfroBasket Qualifiers. Her international experience has further honed her skills and contributed to her development as a player.
Off the court, Akoa Makani enjoys meditation, music (singing and dancing), movies, and shopping. She has two older brothers and one older sister. Her journey from Cameroon to France and eventually to the WNBA highlights her determination and passion for basketball.
Rookie Monique Akoa Makani shines for Phoenix Mercury, emerging as their prime defender, excelling in pick-and-roll defense, and staking her case for …
