Diyana Allo Takes Her Coaching Talent to the U.S

When Diyana Allo first picked up a basketball in the 6th grade at Nativity Girls’ School, she had no idea the sport would one day shape her education and career. Before discovering basketball, she spent her time playing soccer with her brother. But everything changed once she stepped onto the court—quickly developing a passion and commitment to the game. Years later, she would become the face of the Youth Girls Basketball League in Ethiopia and eventually move to the United States to coach the next generation in the very sport she fell in love with during middle school.

The basketball culture at Nativity Girls’ School has always been strong. “I think I was fascinated and inspired when I saw how talented basketball players were treated at the school. Every student wanted to be just like them...” Diyana said. “And I started to practice to be as good as those girls.”

By the time Diyana was in grade 8, she had become highly skilled in the sport and began playing for her class team. Coaches and team leaders quickly started to recognize her full potential as a point guard.

In 2011, when Diyana was in the 9th grade, she was selected to play for her school team as well as the team representing her school zone. She ended the season by winning MVP for her zone team.

The following year, 2012, marked a major turning point. Diyana began earning money through basketball after joining Addis Ababa University’s team to compete in the premier league, becoming the youngest player in the league. “That was a great experience for me. It opened so many doors...” Diyana said. “And it allowed me to see a large part of the country.”

When her high school years came to an end in 2016, Diyana—who had initially planned to attend Awasa University—received a full scholarship from Addis Ababa University to play basketball. The sport became her savior, allowing her to continue her education while playing at a high level until graduation.

In her senior year of college in 2021, Diyana became concerned about the direction of girls’ basketball. She noticed many teams and players drifting away from the sport and felt a responsibility to make a difference. That same year, she began coaching at Addis Basketball Academy.

“I love coaching…” Diyana said. “I enjoy teaching young girls about this incredible sport.”

But coaching alone wasn’t enough—Diyana wanted to win. In the 2021–22 season, she led her team to her first championship as a coach. Her team went on to win another title the following season.

Her success at the academy led to another opportunity, as she was appointed head coach of an Under-17 girls team in the premier league under the Addis Ababa Federation. “I think I got that job because teams saw how dedicated I was to the sport…” Diyana said. “All my hard work paid off.”

Diyana led the Under-17 girls team to three consecutive championships during the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

In 2024, Diyana took another major step in her journey by founding the Ethio Women’s Basketball Academy. The goal of the academy is to empower women through basketball and create more opportunities for young girls to grow in the sport.

Her growing impact in the game continued to gain national recognition. In June 2025, the sport federation selected Diyana to coach the national women’s basketball team as they prepared for a tournament in Rwanda—marking one of the biggest milestones in her coaching career.

“Rwanda was a great opportunity for us. We learned that we needed to take basketball seriously…” Diyana said. “It gave us great exposure on how to improve our basketball skills and also to look beyond the game, preparing the next generation of players and coaches.”

At the end of October 2025, Diyana moved to the United States to start a new chapter in her life. She didn’t leave her years of basketball experience behind—in fact, she brought them to a country where the game is deeply embedded in the culture.

“People in the United States play the game at a more advanced level,” Diyana said. “I wasn’t really intimidated.”

Soon after arriving in the U.S., she began coaching girls under 16 at DMV Wave Runners, continuing the work she had done for years in her home country. She also coaches kids from the Ethiopian community in the Washington, D.C. area, helping them develop their basketball skills.

“I want to do more when it comes to teaching kids how to play the game,” Diyana said. “I’m also preparing to coach more young girls and boys from the Ethiopian community to love and enjoy the game.”

Although she is still new to the country, Diyana continues to think about the young girls back home. “I always think about them. I’m always asking myself what I can do here that will benefit them. I will never forget them.”