Kelley Gibson, a renowned recruiter and an assistant with a track record of success, begins her fourth season on the Rutgers women’s basketball staff in 2018-19.
Coming “To The Banks” after five seasons at Syracuse, Gibson served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the Orange to the postseason each year, including three-straight NCAA Tournament berths. As the team’s recruiting coordinator, Gibson helped put together the No. 6 ranked recruiting class in the country in 2012, including a trio of McDonald’s All-Americans, the No. 10 ranked recruiting class in 2013, as well as an incoming class of 2015 ranked at No. 21.
During her tenure, Gibson helped guide the Orange to a 22-10 ledger with a third-straight NCAA appearance in 2014-15, a 23-10 record in Syracuse’s first season in the ACC in 2013-14, a 24-8 mark, third-place finish in the BIG EAST and a reemergence in the top 25 rankings in 2012-13 and the WNIT final four in 2011-12. Under her leadership, center Kayla Alexander became the school’s all-time leading scorer and was a first round WNBA draft pick and individual school records were set in three-point field goals and single-season rebounds.
Prior to joining the Syracuse staff, Gibson had stints at Southern California University, Maine, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. While at USC, the Trojans’ 2010 signing class was ranked seventh nationally by ESPN/Hoopgurlz and No. 12 by All-Star Girls Report. During her time at UMBC, the Retrievers captured their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth as the America East Tournament champions.
Gibson entered the coaching ranks serving as a graduate assistant coach at American University.
An all-conference player at Maryland, Gibson earned ACC Honorable Mention in 1999 and 1996 ACC All-Rookie Team honors, despite enduring three ACL injuries during her career. She finished her career among the Terp leaders in 3-pointers, assists, steals and blocks.
Following her collegiate career, Gibson played internationally in Russia and in Israel and also had a successful WNBA career with the Houston Comets. A Comet from 2000-2004, Gibson helped win the 2000 WNBA championship and ranked in the top-10 on Houston’s all-time games played chart. In 2003, she was awarded the WNBA’s Off-Season Community Assist Award for her work throughout local communities.
Gibson graduated from the University of Maryland in 1999 with a degree in kinesiology.
Scholastically, she played in high school at Easton (Md.) High, where she won two state championships. She had her jersey retired after setting the school record for career points (2,200) and rebounds.
