Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- jkgibson@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 3761
In four seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Kelley Gibson's impact on the Orange women's basketball program has been evident.
Gibson has helped lead the Orange to a record of 94-43 (.686) in her four seasons which include four post-season appearances, two-straight NCAA Tournaments and the program's first NCAA win in 2013-14.
Gibson and Syracuse went 23-10 in 2013-14, including 10-6 in their first ACC season. Working primarily with the guards, she helped Brittney Sykes earn All-ACC Second Team honors.
She helped guide the Orange to a 24-8 season in 2012-13 in which it finished third in the BIG EAST, ranked in the top 25 nationally and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In her role as recruiting coordinator, Gibson helped land the Orange the No. 6 ranked recruiting class in the country for 2012, a class of five that included McDonald's All-Americans Brianna Butler and Britney Sykes, and the No. 10 ranked recruiting class in 2013.
A WNBA champion, Gibson joined the Orange as an assistant coach in June 2010.
“We are excited to add someone with Kelley’s background to our staff,” head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “Kelley won a WNBA championship with the Houston Comets and her international experience in Russia and Israel will be an asset to our program. Not only will Kelley help improve our guard play, but her impact will be felt in recruiting. She will also help assist our student-athletes with continuing their careers post graduation.”
BEFORE THE ORANGE
Gibson, who serves as SU’s recruiting coordinator, came to SU from Southern California University, where she worked for one season as an assistant. Prior to that she spent two years at Maine, a season at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and one year as a graduate assistant coach at American University.
During her time at UMBC, Gibson helped push the Retrievers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth as the America East Tournament champions.
“I am very thrilled and honored to be part of the Syracuse women’s basketball program and the Syracuse community,” Gibson said. “Coach Hillsman has a stellar reputation in our business and I am honored and very fortunate to be part of his staff. I am confident that my contribution will help with the continued growth and success of Coach Hillsman’s program.”
PLAYING THE GAME
As a player, Gibson was an all-conference player at Maryland. She earned ACC honorable mention in 1999 and was on the 1996 ACC All-Rookie Team, despite enduring three ACL injuries during her career. She remains in the school’s record books among the leaders in 3-pointers, assists, steals and blocks. Gibson graduated from Maryland in 1999 with a degree in kinesiology before moving into the pro ranks.
“Coach Hillsman wants players who want to play at the next level because those are the types of players who win championships,” Gibson said. “I believe my WNBA experience will help attract that type of player to Syracuse.”
Gibson played internationally in Russia and in Israel and also had a successful WNBA career with the Houston Comets. A Comet from 2000-2004, Gibson helped win the 2000 WNBA championship and ranked in the top-10 on Houston’s all-time games played chart. In 2003, she was awarded the WNBA’s Off-Season Community Assist Award for her work throughout local communities.
Gibson played in high school at Easton (Md.) High, where she won two state championships. She had her jersey retired after setting the school record for career points (2,200) and rebounds.
