Player Tabbed as Next Women’s Basketball Head Coach

SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word Athletic Director Richard Duran announced the hiring of Jhasmin Player as the new Women's Basketball Head Coach on Friday, March 28. Player comes to UIW after three seasons as the associate head coach at Oklahoma State University (2022-2025). She brings with her nearly 15 years of coaching experience. 

 

"We are very excited to welcome Coach Player to the University of the Incarnate Word family," says Duran. "Throughout the interview process, it became obvious to us that Coach Player has an elite basketball mind that comes from not only playing and coaching at the highest level but understanding people and our Mission here at UIW." 

 

"I feel excited, I'm honored and blessed to have the opportunity to lead young women at this incredible institution," said Player. "More importantly, I feel the need and the urgency to get to work. I will work tirelessly to find the right people to add to our family at UIW. I'm looking forward to putting a product on the floor and players on this campus that everyone will be proud of. I'm excited to immerse myself in this community and be as available as possible as I get to know everyone. I look forward to blending my family with yours and working with everyone as we strive towards more success and continue putting UIW on the map." 

   

"UIW has hit a home run in hiring Jhasmine Player," said Player's former college coach and current LSU women's basketball head coach Kim Mulkey. "She's put in the work and paid her dues, and it is time for her to be a head coach. I'm not surprised at the success she's had in coaching because her work ethic as a player was unmatched. I only wish that her mother Frankie was here to witness this. I am so happy and proud of her." 

 

In Player's three seasons at OKST, the Cowgirls registered 20+ wins in two of the three seasons. Most recently, in the 2024-25 campaign, the Cowgirl basketball program went 25-7 (14-4) and finished third in the Big 12 standings. The Cowgirls' 25 wins were the third-best total in program history. OKST made the NCAA Tournament as the 7th seed in the Spokane Regional. 

 

"The University of the Incarnate Word is getting a winner, but more importantly an amazing person who cares deeply about investing in the lives of her players," said Oklahoma State women's basketball Head Coach Jacie Hoyt. "She's a tireless worker, an elite recruiter, and an exceptional leader. She has what it takes to build and sustain a great program and culture both on and off the court. I'm excited to see what she does in the Southland Conference." 

 

In her first season in Stillwater, Player helped guide OKST to a 21-win season and a return to the NCAA Tournament. 

 

Player came to Stillwater after spending the 2021-22 season on the SMU coaching staff, where she helped the Mustangs to a WNIT berth. 

 

Before her stop in Dallas, Player served two seasons as an assistant coach for Kansas, working for the Jayhawks from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, she spent the 2018-19 campaign as a staff member at Loyola Marymount, helping the program to its first postseason appearance since 2001, with the Lions earning a WNIT bid. 

 

"I want to thank all those involved in the search for our new Women's Basketball Head Coach, and I am looking forward to working with Coach Player as she guides our student-athletes to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court," said Duran. 

  

Player enjoyed a pair of stints at the University of Maine, helping the Black Bears to the conference championship game in 2017 and 2018. Her final season with the program resulted in a 23-10 mark and an America East title, leading to the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2004. Four players earned all-conference status during that span. She also spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns on staff.  

 

A native of Bay City, Texas, Player competed for five seasons professionally in Europe, spending time in Portugal, Spain, and Poland. She averaged 39.9 points a game during the 2014 season. Additionally, she spent one season with the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. 

 

A 2009 graduate of Baylor, Player earned her degree in speech communication. She was a four-year standout for the Lady Bears, serving as team captain her final two years. She helped guide Baylor to four NCAA tournaments and the 2009 Big 12 tournament title. Following the Lady Bears' victory over Texas A&M, she was named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team. 

 

Player received honorable mention all-league recognition twice and was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team in 2007.  

Player is joined by her wife, Raveen Symone Player, and her son, Khobi Player.

 

The Word on Player 

Amy Vachon 

University of Maine Women's Basketball Head Coach 

"The University of the Incarnate Word has hit a home run in hiring Jhasmin Player as their head women's basketball coach," said Vachon. "Jhasmin has a brilliant basketball mind, an incredible work ethic and is a top-notch recruiter! But what may be Jhas' most impressive attribute is her ability to build relationships with her players. She challenges her student athletes to be the very best they can be in every aspect of their lives and there is never a doubt how much she cares about them as a person. I am so excited to see Jhasmin lead the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball program!" 

 

Jason Key 

Premier Basketball, McDonald's All-American Commitee, ESPN HoopGurlz Recruiting, and Top 100 

"Jhasmin Player is one of the brightest young coaches in the world. From her playing career at Bay City HS to Baylor to the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA along with multiple stops in Europe, Player learned the game from many of the top teachers in the game. Jhasmin's diverse playing and coaching background including stops at LMU, Maine, Kansas, SMU and most recently as the Associate Head Coach have allowed her to become one of the very best recruiters in not only the Texas/Southwest region but across the globe. Look for Jhasmin to lead the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball program to unprecedented heights in the very near future!" 

 

Dan Bowmaker 

BlueStar Europe 

"Coach has been an exceptional recruiter at all her previous schools. Her ability to develop relationships with the players and their families coupled with a great eye for talent has brought her success, which I know will translate to a developing and winning program at Incarnate Word. She excels in identifying a player's potential and then working tirelessly to help that player become a better version of themselves on and off the court. The results have and will continue to speak for themselves."