SYRACUSE – Kelley Gibson has been named an assistant women's basketball ball coach at Syracuse University women's basketball, head coach Quentin Hillsman announced Monday. Gibson, who will also serve as SU's recruiting coordinator, brings a WNBA championship and international experience to an already veteran Orange staff.

“We are excited to add someone with Kelley's background to our staff," 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 Kelly 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.”

Gibson comes to SU from Southern California University, where she worked for one season as an assistant after spending two years at Maine, a year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and one 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.”

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 (1,008), and she has a street named in her honor in her hometown of Easton. Gibson is a member of the WBCA and the Black Coaches Association.