Following the departure of former assistant coach Raina Harmon for the head coaching role at Florida Gulf Coast, Iowa women’s basketball has hired former Georgia Tech assistant coach LaSondra Barrett to serve in the same role with the Hawkeyes next season, head coach Jan Jensen announced Friday.
Barrett joined the Georgia Tech women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach in April 2022, finishing her third season with the program in 2024-25. She also added recruiting coordinator to her title last summer for the Yellow Jackets.
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Before her time with Georgia Tech, the former All-American at LSU had spent the previous three seasons with Houston, where she was director of recruiting operations before being elevated to an assistant coach in 2020-21 and primarily worked with the post players.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Iowa Women’s Basketball staff”, Barrett said. “This program has a storied tradition of excellence, built on a foundation of hard work, integrity, and a true passion for the game. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a culture that not only produces success on the court but also empowers young women to grow as leaders and individuals. I look forward to working alongside Coach Jensen and her outstanding staff, and I’m eager to get to work in support of this incredible team and the Hawkeye community.”
Including her roles with Houston and Georgia Tech, Barrett had coaching stops at Louisiana Tech (2018-19) and Florida International (2016-17), both as an assistant coach. In 2018-19, while at Louisiana Tech, Barrett helped tutor All-Conference USA’s first-team selection, Kierra Anthony, to a remarkable season, ranking first in the C-USA and fourth nationally in scoring.
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A native of Jackson, Miss., Barrett was a four-year letterwinner at LSU (2009-12). Named the 2009 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, Barrett also garnered All-SEC honors twice during her collegiate career. Following her junior and senior seasons, she was named a WBCA Honorable Mention All-America honoree. In her four seasons at LSU, she helped the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances and finished with over 1,500 points and 800 rebounds.
Barrett became the seventh player in LSU program history to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft, taken 10th overall by the Washington Mystics in 2012. For her outstanding career, she was named LSU’s 2016 SEC Women’s Legend. Barrett played three seasons professionally, with one season in Israel and two in Australia.
After her professional career, Barrett returned to LSU and spent two seasons (2014-16) as the director of player personnel. In that role, she was responsible for all non-conference scheduling, academic, and alumni relations.
While the Hawkeyes will surely miss Harmon’s coaching insights, Iowa will gladly take on Barrett’s knowledge as Jan Jensen and the program eye a return to the national spotlight next season.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball hires new assistant coach
