Great basketball players are often shaped by their roots—both the ones they stand on and the ones that push them forward. For Texas Longhorns standout Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, the foundation of her game and character traces back to her mother, Mamissa Tshijuka, a woman whose journey in basketball is as inspiring as it is complex. But while Mamissa’s story is well-documented, the details about Mwenentanda’s father remain elusive.

Who is Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s Mother Mamissa? Was She a Professional Basketball Player?

A versatile and multi-talented athlete, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda is following a path carved decades earlier by her mother. Muene “Mamissa” Tshijuka played college basketball at Old Dominion University (ODU), where she was part of a talented roster that made deep tournament runs. While social media claims suggest she played in a Final Four in 1997, official records confirm her participation in the 1998-99 season, when ODU reached the Sweet Sixteen.

Basketball wasn’t always an easy road for Mamissa. Born in Lubumbashi, Congo, she was the third of four children and a tribal princess of the Luba tribe. Growing up, she was initially drawn to handball, but a coach saw something special in her and suggested she switch to basketball. The decision was met with resistance from her father, King Tshibuya, who viewed wearing shorts in public as disrespectful for a royal daughter. But Mamissa’s mother convinced him otherwise, allowing her to pursue her passion.

“It was not easy for me. Wearing those shorts for my tribe is not good; it’s like I’m naked in front of people, which doesn’t show respect for a king’s daughter,” Mamissa recalled. “My mom convinced my father I could do it, but it was hard.”

Her talent took her far—first to the Zaire national team, where she competed in the 1996 Olympics, and then to the United States for college. She arrived at ODU sight unseen, recruited based on recommendations and her Olympic pedigree. But her transition was anything but smooth. Back home, civil war engulfed her country, and at one point, she lost contact with her family for six months.

Now, years later, she shares the lessons she learned with her daughter. “Mental toughness. The game is very fast. She has to be able to compete with herself, against herself. You have to critique yourself after the game to know what are the things that I can improve on,” Mamissa said.

Ndjakalenga took those words to heart. “I knew a little bit of it, but when I learned the rest of it, I was like, dang! I want to do one of those and then plus more!” she said.

Who is Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s Father? What Does He Do?

While Mamissa’s story is well-documented, little is known about Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s father. Even the University of Texas, where she currently plays, does not list any information about him.

What Nationality Are Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s Parents?

Ndjakalenga’s mother, Mamissa Tshijuka, is Congolese. However, no public records confirm the nationality of her father. However, born in Sioux Falls, Ndjakalenga is an American national who grew up in South Dakota, far from the struggles her mother faced, but with her unique pressures. As one of the top recruits in the country, she fielded offers from over 30 programs before choosing Texas.

Her coach, Jamie Parish (according to mitchellrepublic.com) highlighted her relentless work ethic in 2021: “She worked really hard on her jump shot last summer, and I don’t know if I’ve seen a kid improve in one summer as much as she has. She’s just such a unique kid, and she’s not someone you get an opportunity to coach very often.”

In Texas, she has begun to carve out her own name, but the echoes of her mother’s journey remain ever-present. Mamissa’s lessons in resilience, discipline, and adaptability continue to guide her.

“I want to thank God for blessing me with the many talents and people in my life,” Ndjakalenga wrote in her commitment announcement. “A big thank you to my mom who’s done literally everything to help me get this far.”

While her story is still being written, one thing is clear—like her mother before her, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda is ready to rise to any challenge, on or off the court.