Rachel Odima was a shining light—brilliant, compassionate, and driven. She lived with intention, leading in faith-based spaces like children’s church and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and pursuing excellence in academics and athletics.

Her basketball journey began in eighth grade at Central Junior High in Springdale, Arkansas. She later continued at Har-Ber High School, where the competition grew tougher and expectations were higher. Though she faced challenges, Rachel never quit. She worked hard, trained at home with her brothers, and used every setback as motivation. Her dream to play college basketball kept her focused—not just for herself, but because she believed in using basketball as a vehicle to empower youth, especially young girls who needed someone to show them what was possible.

At Layton High School in Utah, her persistence paid off. With the support of coaches who believed in her, Rachel transformed into a standout player and earned a spot on Utah’s All-State Girls’ Basketball Team. She went on to play for Wenatchee Valley College, helping lead the team to the 2019 Northwest Athletic Collegiate Championship—their first in 37 years.

Rachel’s vision extended beyond the court. She planned to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sports Management at Corban University, with the goal of becoming an Athletic Director—determined to break barriers in a field where African American women are deeply underrepresented. For Rachel, sports were never just about competition—they were about community, confidence, and opportunity.

Proud of her Black and Kenyan heritage, Rachel aimed to be a role model for young women, especially in underrepresented communities. She believed in the power of persistence, the importance of representation, and the potential of sport as a platform to uplift others and create lasting change.

Though Rachel’s life was tragically cut short at age 20, her legacy lives on. Rachel’s Refuge was established to continue her mission—to inspire, empower, and uplift youth through mentorship, opportunity, and sport, using basketball just as Rachel did: as a powerful tool for transformation.