Bella Murekatete never shies from challenges.

Murekatete, a sophomore-to-be on the Washington State University women's basketball player and college of education student from Ngoma Huye, Rwanda, understood the hardships she would face as an international student, balancing school and athletics.

"The transition to America was hard, and it still is hard in some ways, but I am getting used to it," Murekatete said.

Murekatete is thought to be the first Rwanda-born women's basketball player to compete at the NCAA Division I level. After moving from Rwanda, to Post Falls, Idaho, in 2015, she began to take basketball seriously. In her freshman year of high school, she made it her goal to be a representative of African student-athletes.

"My morals and values as an African basketball player are very high and I want to be successful, so I can help other Africans," she said.

When Murekatete arrived in America, she didn't know much English and found her transition difficult. She eventually overcame the language barrier with the help of her host family and peers. She has maintained a positive attitude and remains humbled by her opportunities.   

Murekatete understands the challenges all student-athletes face, and feels there's additional pressure on her as her nation's first NCAA Division I women's basketball player.

"My experience with holding that title is great, but at the same time hard because a lot of people have high expectations for me," she said. "At the end of the day, I don't let the pressure get to my head. I do feel like it is my duty to continue to work hard and to make it to the WNBA to show people that Rwandan women can do it, too."

Murekatete is proud of her origins.

"I continue to represent my culture through basketball by respecting everyone no matter their age, race, gender," she said. "I will continue to mention my country and tell people the beauty of it and its people as much as I can."