ATLANTA – Illinois State women's basketball assistant coach Mariyah Brawner-Henley was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Thirty Under 30 announced by the WBCA Monday.
Brawner-Henley has been an integral part of the women's basketball program's turnaround since joining the staff in May of 2018, helping guide the Redbirds to four-straight winning seasons, a 2021 WNIT appearance and most recently ISU's first MVC Tournament title since 2008.
"Mariyah is so deserving of this award," said head coach Kristen Gillespie. "She has made such a huge impact in all areas of our program specifically in our post play, in scouting opponents and executing game plans, and on the recruiting trail. The future of our program is bright with her on our side."
The Evanston, Ill.-native, came to ISU after a one-year stint as a graduate assistant for the NIU women's basketball program. Brawner-Henley played for Coach Gillespie at Lewis University where she was a two-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year and three-time All-American. She helped guide the Flyers to four consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berths and one GLVC championship. She finished her career as the greatest women's basketball player in Lewis history, tallying up a school record 1,981 points and 1,282 rebounds while also ranking second in the NCAA with 72 career double-doubles.
With Brawner-Henley's selection to the list, all three coaches on ISU's staff have received the honor with assistant coach Scott Gillespie claiming the award in 2019 and associate head coach Jessica Keller being chosen in 2016.
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 and mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
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