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Kristeena Alexander joins women's basketball coaching staff
GREENSBORO, N.C. – New UNCG women's basketball coach Wendy Palmer has taken her first step toward assembling her staff, hiring former George Washington University assistant Kristeena Alexander as her top assistant coach.
"I think Kristeena is an extraordinary coach and brings a unique set of talents to UNCG," Palmer said. "She is a well-rounded person, and she's really going to flourish here at UNCG. She's a great up-and-coming coach. She's energetic, she knows the game, and she works well with the players."
Alexander comes to UNCG after a three-year stint as an assistant at George Washington, her alma mater.
"I'm ecstatic about the opportunity," Alexander said. "I think Wendy is a great person, first and foremost, and I'm excited about working with her. I'm looking forward to continuing the success UNCG has had in the past. I think it's a great situation and I know that the entire staff will be ready for what's to come in the future."
Alexander served as recruiting coordinator at GWU and was instrumental in bringing in classes ranked in the top 50 by ESPN HoopGurlz in 2009 and 2010.
Prior to returning to GWU, Alexander was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at St. Francis (Pa.) for the 2007-08 season. There, she facilitated the recruitment of a pair of student-athletes who would go on to earn All-Northeast Conference honors, including Samantha Leach, who would become the NEC Player of the Year in 2011.
Alexander began her coaching career where she began her playing career, at George Mason. The Hampstead, N.Y., native was an assistant at George Mason from 2004-07.
Like Palmer, an 11-year WNBA veteran, Alexander also has WNBA experience, as she played for the Washington Mystics in 2003. Alexander also played professionally in Denmark in 2003 before beginning her coaching career.
In her three years as a player at GWU, Alexander was a two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection was the A-10's 1999-2000 Sixth Player of the Year. She helped the Colonials to NCAA tournament appearances in 2000 and 2001.
After her freshman year at George Mason, Alexander earned Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year honors. During her freshman campaign, Alexander went a perfect 20-for-20 from the free throw line in a contest against UCF, tying an NCAA record for single-game percentage. At the time, the 20 free throws made were an NCAA record in a perfect game.
Alexander earned a bachelor's degree in human services from George Washington in 2000. She is also a 2010 graduate of the Black Coaches & Administrators' Achieving Coaching Excellence program. Alexander is a member of the BCA and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
Alexander will start at UNCG on Monday.
- UNCG -
