Nneka Enemkpali Hired As Assistant Coach For USC Women’s Basketball

The USC women's basketball coaching staff under new leader Lindsay Gottlieb is complete with the addition of assistant coach Nneka Enemkpali, Gottlieb announced today (July 9). 

"I've been intentional about building a coaching staff that has tremendous chemistry with one another, while providing the best possible coaching, leadership and mentorship to our student athletes," head coach Gottlieb said. "It is with great pride that I introduce Nneka Enemkpali as the newest member of our staff. There is not a colleague of Nneka's that I've spoken to that doesn't light up when they speak about her. Nneka has had a positive impact on every program she's been a part of."

Enemkpali spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant at UNLV after two seasons in that role at UC Santa Barbara, where she oversaw skill development of the post players. Along the way, Enemkpali earned accolades as one of the 50 Impactful Assistants in D1 Women's Basketball named by Silver Waves Media in 2020.

Prior to Santa Barbara, Enemkpali served two seasons a video coordinator at Gonzaga, which made back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2017 and 2018 during her time on the Bulldogs staff. A 2015 graduate of Texas, she was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and finished her Longhorn career ranked No. 10 all-time in rebounds (899) and No. 30 in points (1,116). Also a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, she was drafted 26th overall (third round) in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm, although her playing career was brought to a close by a knee injury sustained in her senior season at Texas.

"Nneka is known for her ability to develop talent on the court, and for her commitment to impacting young lives off of it," Gottlieb added. "Nneka also has playing experience at the highest levels, which will help our players reach their own aspirations, and an infectious energy that will inspire all of us as we raise the Women of Troy back to national prominence."

Enemkpali joins fellow assistant coaches Wendale Farrow and Danyelle Grant in their first seasons on the USC women's basketball coaching staff along with head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.