Shereka Wright, who led UT Arlington to an NCAA Tournament appearance in just her second season while capturing Sun Belt Coach of the Year accolades, has made an incredible impact on the Lady Mavs program in only three short seasons. She enters her fourth year in 2023-24.
New Era in the WAC
This past season, Wright guided the Lady Mavs through a multitude of injuries to finish 14-17 overall and 8-10 in conference play, although the team won four of their final six regular season games in their first season in the Western Athletic Conference since the 2012-13 year. The campaign ended with a heartbreaking loss, 80-78, to Seattle in the opening round of the WAC Tournament.
While battling injuries, the Lady Mavs also played a tough non-conference schedule with matchups against nationally-ranked Arizona, Oklahoma and Baylor. They also played Toledo, which made the second round of the NCAA Tournament, as well as Kansas, which made the WNIT.
The Lady Mavs finished among the nation's top five in both free throw attempts and free throws made while also ranking among the top 50 in steals per game (29th), scoring offense (49th) and turnovers forced per game (50th).
Starr Jacobs became the first player in program history to be named a two-time conference player of the year, averaging 20.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.4 steals over 18 conference games. She led the conference in scoring, rebounding, offensive rebounding and steals while finishing fourth in field goal percentage and sixth in assists. She had a higher point per game average than any previous player of the year recipient in the WAC since UMKC's Elise O'Connor registered 22.8 per game in 2013-14.
During the season, Jacobs became the first player in program history to reach 1,000 career points in less than two years while concluding the season 14th on the program's career scoring list. A two-time WAC Player of the Week, she averaged an incredible 27.8 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and three steals over the final five regular season games. Prior to the season, she was the first player in program history to be named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award watch list.
Graduate senior transfer Kayla White (SMU) was also named Second Team All-WAC while finishing as the conference's fifth-leading scorer in conference play with 14.9 per contest. She tallied 24 games with double-figures, including five with 20+ in conference play alone and finished her collegiate career with 1,484 points.
Taleyah Jones was named a two-time WAC Freshman of the Week, finishing as the team's fourth-leading scorer at 8.7 per contest. In the month of December, she averaged 11.6 points per game and became the 11th freshman in NCAA Division I play during the season to score at least 30 points in a game against Texas A&M-Texarkana.
Historic Season
In the historic 2021-22 season, Wright guided the Lady Mavs to a 20-8 record and the Sun Belt Tournament Championship. That earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history and the first since 2007. For her efforts, Wright was named SBC Coach of the Year in addition to Texas Coach of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Basketball.
During the season, Wright was named the HoopDirt.com National Coach of the Week after a pair of come-from-behind overtime victories over Houston and North Texas early in the season. She also guided the Lady Mavs to the program's first-ever win over a ranked opponent, defeating No. 13/17 South Florida, 61-56, on Dec. 2, 2021.
Wright became the second coach in school history to have 10 or more wins in conference play in back-to-back seasons, joining just Samantha Morrow in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. She also led UTA to their best ever road record based on winning percentage at 9-2 (.818) including an incredible 7-1 record in SBC play.
Individually, Wright coached up SBC Player of the Year, Starr Jacobs, who went on to win SBC Tournament MVP honors while averaging 21 PPG, becoming the first player in program history to average at least 20 PPG in a season. Terryn Milton also earned all-conference honors along with a spot on the SBC All-Tournament Team.
UTA concluded its magical season with a close loss to Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The 14th-seeded Lady Mavs went to Ames and nearly pulled off a massive upset, leading by five at the half and by three with less than six minutes remaining. The third-seeded Cyclones used a late rally to pick up a 78-71 win over the Lady Mavs – who would have become the first 14 seed to ever win a game in the tournament.
For her efforts, former UTA athletic director, Jim Baker, announced the two-year extension for Wright with UTA through the 2027 season.
First Campaign
In her first campaign as a head coach, Wright led the Lady Mavs to a 13-7 overall record, including an 11-4 finish in Sun Belt play, through an interesting season that saw multiple stoppages due to COVID opt-outs, injuries and games postponed/canceled.
Wright secured her first career win in the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce at the College Park Center. UTA went on to earn the West Division’s No. 2 seed in the SBC Tourney, falling to App State in the quarterfinals.
Despite the challenges that were thrown the team's way, Wright and the Lady Mavs led the Sun Belt in scoring defense (54 PPG), field goal percentage defense (34.8 percent) and three-point percentage defense (26.7 percent) while ranking top-3 in scoring margin (2nd; +7.0), three-point percentage (3rd; 32.3 percent), assists (2nd; 14.9 APG) and assist/turnover ratio (2nd; 0.9).
In the national rankings, the 2020-21 edition of the Lady Mavs ranked in the Top-50 nationally in multiple categories, including scoring defense (10th), field-goal percentage (12th) and three-point percentage defense (20th).
Prior to UTA
Wright – a Texas High School Hall of Fame member and former longtime assistant coach at Texas Tech – brought an impressive resume to the Lady Mavs that included two seasons with Vanderbilt (2018-20), five years at Alabama (2013-18) and seven campaigns in Lubbock (2006-13).
Known nationally as a strong recruiter, Wright – who served as Vanderbilt’s recruiting coordinator – helped bring a pair of ESPNW top 100 players to the Commodores’ Class of 2019, including Koi Love, who became the first player in school history to earn back-to-back SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
Prior to Vandy, Wright was a critical part of Alabama’s resurgence and helped the Crimson Tide to consecutive 20-win seasons, which included the quarterfinals of the 2018 WNIT. Under Wright’s tutelage, Alabama forward Ashley Williams finished her career ranked ninth in school history in scoring (1,450) and fifth in rebounding (859).
Additionally, under Wright’s direction, SEC All-Freshman selection Ashley Knight set the Alabama single-season record and led the league in blocks with 90, becoming the first player in program history to finish as the SEC’s leader in blocks.
Wright also was instrumental in constructing a signing class that ranked in the top 25 nationally, featuring both the Alabama and Mississippi high school players of the year.
Wright began her coaching career at Texas Tech and was responsible for the perimeter players, recruiting, scouting, academics and equipment. She helped the Lady Raiders advance to the postseason five times, and posted 20+ win seasons each of the last three years – including advancing to the NCAA Tournament twice.
Playing Career
A native of Copperas Cove just west of Fort Hood, Wright was named the 2000 National High School Player of the Year at Copperas Cove High School while compiling school records in points (3,269), rebounds (1,148) and blocks (220). At the time of her graduation, she was just the 36th player in the country and only the fourth Texan to record 3,000 points in a high school career. As a senior, she averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Following her prolific high school career, Wright went on to star at Purdue University where she remains to this day the only three-time All-American in Purdue women’s basketball history. She was just the third Boilermaker in program history to be named First Team All-Big Ten on three occasions, and she was a finalist for National Player of the Year as both a junior and senior. As a freshman in 2001, Wright was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team.
Wright amassed 2,251 points (2nd in Purdue history) and 793 rebounds (7th) over the course of her career to go with 177 blocked shots (10th), 291 assists (17th) and 129 steals. Her 350 offensive rebounds are the most in school history. Wright made and attempted more free throws than any player in Big Ten history, going 776 for 1,071 from the line.
Throughout her four-year career, Purdue appeared in four NCAA tournaments, advancing to the national championship game in 2001, the Elite Eight in 2003 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2004. Purdue won two Big Ten regular-season titles (2001, 2002) and a pair of Big Ten Tournament crowns (2003, 2004) with Wright being named Most Outstanding Player both times.
Wright, who graduated from Purdue in 2004 with a degree in health and fitness, was inducted into the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame.
Following her collegiate career, Wright was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock after a stellar career at Purdue. She was traded to the Phoenix Mercury on draft night, and spent two seasons with them until an injury brought her professional playing career to an end in 2006.
Feature Page - Hiring Announcement (Sept. 4, 2020) | Hiring Press Release (Sept. 4, 2020)
What They Are Saying About Shereka Wright | Introductory Press Conference | Photo Gallery
THE WRIGHT FILE
Personal
Hometown: Copperas Cove, Texas
Children: Daughter, Lennox
High School: Copperas Cove HS
College: Purdue, 2004 (Bachelor's of Arts in Health & Fitness)
Experience
2020-Present: UTA (Head Coach)
2018-20: Vanderbilt (Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator)
2013-18: Alabama (Assistant Coach)
2006-13: Texas Tech (Assistant Coach)
Hall Of Fame
Named to the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020
Playing Career
WNBA, Phoenix Mercury: 2004-06
Purdue: 2001-04
Playing Honors
Professional - WNBA, Phoenix Mercury
- 13th overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft (Detroit Shock)
- Traded to the Phoenix Mercury on draft night
- Spent two seasons with the Phoenix Mercury until an injury brought her pro career to an end
College - Purdue
- Named to the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020
- The only 3x All-American in Purdue program history
- 1 of only 3 2,000-point scorers and 3x first-team All-Big Ten players in Purdue program history
- 2x Big Ten regular season (2001, 2002) and tournament (2003, 2004) champion
- 2x Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- Amassed 2,251 points (2nd in Purdue history) and 793 rebounds (7th) over the course of her career, to go with 177 blocked shots (10th), 291 assists (17th) and 129 steals
- Her 350 offensive rebounds are the most in Purdue women’s basketball history
- Made and attempted more free throws than any player in Big Ten Conference history, going 776-of-1,071 from the line
- Named to the 2001 Women's Final Four All-Tournament team as Purdue finished as the national runner-up
- Finalist for National Player of the Year honors as a junior and a senior
High School - Copperas Cove HS
- Named one of UIL's Top 100 Players
- Inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in May 2011
- USA Basketball Women's World University Games (2001)
- 2000 USA Today Player of the Year
- 2000 Gatorade National Player of the Year
- 2000 Rawlings/WBCA Player of the Year
- Parade and Nike/WBCA All-American
- Set school records with 3,269 points, 1,148 rebounds and 220 blocks
- At the time, she was just the 36th player in the country and 4th Texan to record 3,000 points in a career
- Helped lead Cove to 118-10 four-year record
IN THE NEWS
The American Dream story of Shereka Wright, UTA Lady Mavs Head Basketball Coach (City of Arlington)
By City of Arlington (Nov. 2, 2022) -
STORY |
VIDEO
| Career Record |
47-32 (.595) in 3 seasons |
| UTA Record |
Same as above |
| NCAA Tournament Record |
0-1 (.000) |
| Regular Season Conference Record |
30-18 (.625) in 3 seasons |
| Conference Tournament Championships |
1 (2022, Sun Belt) |
| Conference Tournament Appearances (last) |
3 (2023) |
| Conference Tournament Record |
3-2 (.600) |
| First-Team All-Conference Selections |
2 - Starr Jacobs (2023, 2022) |
| Second-Team All-Conference Selections |
2 - Kayla White (2023), Terryn Milton (2022) |
| Conference Player of the Year Recipients |
2 - Starr Jacobs (2023, 2022) |
| WAC All-Defensive Team |
1 - Starr Jacobs (2023) |
| WAC All-Newcomer Team |
1 - Kayla White (2023) |
| Sun Belt Coach of the Year |
1 (2022) |
| Year |
School |
Overall
Record |
Conference
Record (Finish) |
Conference
Tournament |
Postseason |
| 2022-23 |
UTA |
14-17 |
8-10 (T-8th) |
0-1 |
WAC 1st Round |
| 2021-22 |
UTA |
20-8 |
11-4 (2nd) |
3-0 |
NCAA 1st Round |
| 2020-21 |
UTA |
13-7 |
11-4 (2nd, SBC West) |
0-1 |
Sun Belt Quarterfinals |
| CAREER TOTAL |
3 Seasons |
47-32 (.595) |
30-18 (.625) |
3-2 (.600) |
|
| UTA TOTAL |
3 Seasons |
47-32 (.595) |
30-18 (.625) |
3-2 (.600) |
- |
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT WRIGHT
"UTA hit the jackpot. Shereka’s character, work ethic, and love for the game is exactly what it takes to run a successful program. She is the perfect combination of competitiveness and compassion. I can’t wait to watch her take UTA to new heights."
- Katrina Merriweather, Memphis Head Women's Basketball Coach
"UTA made an excellent selection in Shereka Wright to lead their women's basketball program. She is a tremendous teacher, coach and recruiter. Most importantly Shereka is a great person who knows the value family and team work. With her, you get the total package."
- Carolyn Peck, Head Coach of the 1999 Purdue National Championship team, current analyst for ESPN/SEC Network
"The University of Texas Arlington has hired a winner in Shereka Wright. Her love and passion for the student-athlete coupled with a relentless work ethic will continue the upward trajectory of Lady Mav Basketball. This opportunity is so deserving and I know she is thrilled to return to the state of Texas where her basketball journey began."
- Kristy Curry, Alabama Head Women's Basketball Coach
"The University of Texas at Arlington is very fortunate to welcome Shereka Wright as its new women's basketball coach. She has a passion for coaching, a great temperament for relationships and unmatched work ethic. She has a wealth of experience and I look for great things from the Lady Mavs for years to come."
- Ravon Justice, Sam Houston State Head Women's Basketball Coach
“I am thrilled for Shereka and this well-deserved opportunity. She is a rising star on our profession and will not only be a terrific head coach, but a great asset to the University and surrounding community. We will miss her at Vanderbilt and be her biggest fans as she embarks on this next chapter.”
- Stephanie White, Connecticut Sun Head Coach
"Shereka is a relationship builder, communicator and brings a winning pedigree as a player and coach. Through her many experiences with some of the top people in our game, Shereka knows how winning looks, acts and talks on and off the court. Congrats to Shereka Wright and the young women at UTA."
- Debbie Antonelli, College Basketball/WNBA Analyst
UPDATED: 3/21/23
