ATLANTA, Ga. --- Auburn Montgomery women's basketball assistant coach
LaSheena Nation has been named to the 2020 Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Thirty Under 30," as announced on Wednesday, March 18.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
"I'm absolutely humbled and grateful to be recognized among an amazing group of young coaches in the women's basketball industry," Nation said. "I'm fortunate enough to have a great support system in my family, mentors, peers and colleagues within the AUM Athletic Department. I also would like to thank Coach Page for entrusting me at my age in this profession."
Nation completed her first season as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for the Warhawks in 2019-20, helping AUM add seven wins from their previous total in 2018-19 and average 10 more points per game.
"Coach Nation is a rising star in the profession," head women's basketball coach
Sean Page said. "It's great to see her being recognized by the WBCA."
Before joining AUM, Nation coached at Snead State Community College in Boaz, Ala., where she served as the assistant women's basketball coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons. Under Nation's guidance, the Lady Parsons added 13 wins to their total in 2018-19 from 2017-18, while earning a spot in the 2019 Alabama Community College Conference Women's Basketball Tournament.
Prior to her assistant coaching position at Snead State, Nation served as an assistant coach for the women's basketball team at G.W. Carver High School here in Montgomery, Ala. for two seasons. While at Carver, Nation helped lead the Lady Wolverines to two area championships, a 6A Regional Championship and an appearance in the AHSAA Women's Basketball Final Four during the 2016-17 campaign.
"The WBCA is pleased to recognize up-and-coming talent in our coaching family. The 30 coaches who have been named to receive the Thirty Under 30 Award are deserving of this recognition. The WBCA congratulates them for distinguishing themselves early in their careers," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes."
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About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit
www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
This is the fifth year of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 program. Please visit
www.wbca.org/recognize/ to see a list of honorees.
2020 WBCA "Thirty Under 30" Honorees
| Name |
Title |
School |
| Sierra Afoa |
Assistant Coach |
University of Alaska–Anchorage |
| Olivia Applewhite |
Assistant Coach |
St. Louis University |
| Tara Arnold |
Assistant Coach |
Northwest Florida State College |
| Alison Beasley |
Head Coach |
Wake Technical Community College |
| Annie Bourne |
Assistant Coach |
DePauw University |
| Kira Carter |
Assistant Coach |
Sam Houston State University |
| Cristina Centeno |
Assistant Coach |
Appalachian State University |
| Drew Cole |
Assistant Coach |
Abilene Christian University |
| Kenia Cole |
Assistant Coach |
Hampton University |
| Symone Denham |
Assistant Coach |
University of New Mexico |
| Erik DeRoo |
Assistant Coach |
Abilene Christian University |
| Kaitlynn Fratz |
Assistant Coach |
University of Maryland |
| Alex Furr |
Head Coach |
Panola College |
| Imani Gordon |
Assistant Coach |
Notre Dame College of Ohio |
| Sharay Hall |
Assistant Coach |
Colgate University |
| Brita Hand |
Assistant Coach |
William Penn University |
| Tamoria Holmes |
Assistant Coach |
Howard University |
| Jamie Insel |
Assistant Coach |
Tufts University |
| Alaina Jordan |
Assistant Coach |
Coastal Carolina University |
| Abby Jump |
Assistant Coach |
Wright State University |
| Kenzie Kostas |
Assistant Coach |
University of Central Missouri |
| Cinnamon Lister |
Assistant Coach |
University of California–Irvine |
| Michaela Mabrey |
Assistant Coach |
University of Notre Dame |
| Lauren Macer |
Head Coach |
Notre Dame College of Ohio |
| Claire Mattox |
Assistant Coach |
Cornell University |
| Jacklin Nared |
Assistant Coach |
University of Arizona |
| LaSheena Nation |
Assistant Coach |
Auburn University at Montgomery |
| Jonneshia Pineda |
Assistant Coach |
University of Louisville |
| Gary Redus |
Assistant Coach |
Vanderbilt University |
| Kaylin Rice |
Assistant Coach |
Baylor University |
| Chantel Roberts |
Assistant Coach |
Chowan University |
| Deon Thomas |
Assistant Coach |
Roosevelt University |
| Markisha Wright |
Assistant Coach |
Drake University |
