NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State women's head basketball coach Kristen Gillespie announced the hiring of assistant coach Mariyah Brawner-Henley, former graduate assistant with the Northern Illinois University women's basketball team.
"I couldn't be more excited to have Mariyah join our staff," Gillespie said. "I had the honor of coaching Mariyah and I know first-hand that she is an intense competitor who will be a great role model for our young women. Mariyah will bring the same work ethic, passion and enthusiasm to our staff that led her to become a three time All American."
Brawner-Henley played her senior season under the direction of Coach Gillespie at Lewis University where she went on to earn Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year and All-American honors. She helped guide the Flyers to four consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berths and one GLVC championship. Brawner-Henley 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. She collected 72 career double-doubles, which ranks second in NCAA history and finished her collegiate playing career with a 106-12 record. She earned All-America status in each of her last three seasons and was a two-time GLVC Player of the Year.
The Evanston, Illinois, native graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Lewis University in 2016 and went on to play professionally overseas for Aabyhoj in Denmark. Upon her return to the United States, Brawner-Henley went on to pursue a master's in business administration from Northern Illinois University. She spent the last season working as a graduate assistant for the NIU women's basketball team under another former Lewis University coach, Lisa Carlsen.
"I have a lot of respect for both Coach Gillespie and Coach Carlsen and having the opportunity to work with both of them is truly an honor," said Brawner-Henley. "Coach Gillespie came in during my senior season and it was the best experience. She has a lot of passion for the game and I'm extremely excited to continue to learn from her."
Brawner-Henley plans to complete her MBA at Illinois State and will make her debut on the Redbird sideline during the 2018-19 season.
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