Silver Spring’s very own Zania Socka-Nguemen, a rising sophomore forward and proud product of Montgomery County, recently played a pivotal role in leading the United States to a gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, held in Brno, Czech Republic, from July 12th to 20th.
Socka-Nguemen’s journey to the national stage is rooted in her impressive high school career at Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC, a program where she achieved national recognition as a McDonald’s All-American. Her contributions were instrumental in leading Sidwell Friends to a state championship in 2023, showcasing the talent that has now propelled her to the U.S. national team.
The 6-foot-3 forward, known for her athletic prowess, comfort with the ball, and impactful defensive presence, proved to be a valuable asset for the U19 squad. Throughout the seven games of the tournament, Socka-Nguemen averaged 3.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in approximately 7 minutes and 32 seconds per game. Her efficiency was notable, shooting 53.3% from the field (8-of-15), a perfect 100% from three-point range (1-of-1), and 71.4% from the free-throw line (5-of-7). She also contributed defensively with 3 steals and 1 block across the tournament.
After a freshman season at UCLA, Socka-Nguemen has committed to Indiana University, where she will continue her collegiate career, undoubtedly bringing her gold-medal winning experience and burgeoning talent to the Hoosiers’ program.