Sept. 7, 2000 Seattle - Yeshimbra "Shimmy" Gray, a standout guard at Michigan, has joined the Washington women's basketball staff as an assistant coach, director of athletics Barbara Hedges announced. Gray played basketball at Michigan from 1990-94, where she was a three year starter for the Wolverines and team captain as a senior. Upon receiving her degree in sociology, with a minor in criminology, she pursued a career as a police officer in Michigan for two years. A native of Flint, Mich., Gray played professional basketball with Olivias Futebol Clube in Portugal in addition to competing with the Athletes in Action touring team in 1998 and '99. She spent last season as an assistant coach at Bellevue (Wash.) Community College. "I am excited to be at Washington," said Gray. "I look forward to working with the team, learning from a great staff and helping the Husky program return to the top of the Pac-10, where it belongs." Gray replaces Hulett Brooks, who recently resigned to pursue a career in private business. She joins the Husky staff that includes Sunny Smallwood and Mike Daugherty, both of whom have been with head coach June Daugherty since her arrival in 1996. Along with her coaching duties, Gray will assist with scouting and academics. The Huskies play their first exhibition game November 6 and open the regular season November 24, when they christen the newly remodeled Bank of America Arena with a game against defending NCAA champion Connecticut. |
