The Southern Nazarene Women's Basketball program has just announced the hiring of Kayla Tucker as the new assistant coach, effective May 11.

Tucker, an Oklahoma City native, is no stranger to success at the collegiate level, bringing Division I and Division II coaching experience to SNU along with an extensive resume as a college athlete.

Before joining the Storm, Tucker spent the 21-22 season as the Assistant Coach for the Ouachita Baptist Women's Basketball program, a fellow Great American Conference contender. A year earlier, Tucker spent a season at Texas Tech as the Graduate Assistant for the Women's Basketball program.

Athletic Director Danny Thomason had some inspiring words to say about the new addition. "We feel very fortunate to find someone as qualified as Kayla so quickly to fill our Assistant Women's Basketball position who is excited about living the SNU Mission into our ladies who play Women's Basketball at SNU!"

Prior to taking on the coaching role, Tucker was a decorated athlete through high school and college. She was a two-time All-State selection her senior year at Southmoore High School, later taking her talents to Alabama State. Throughout her three seasons with the Hornets, she saw one regular season title and two conference tournament titles along with two NCAA tournament appearances and a pre-season WNIT bid. It was at Alabama State where she committed her studies to a Bachelors of Arts in Communications.

"I am extremely excited and blessed to join Coach May and this program as an Assistant Coach, says Tucker. The university, athletics department and women's basketball program all have a high standard of success that I am ready to help continue the work!"

Aside from her coaching duties, Tucker is currently working towards a Masters of Education at Texas Tech University. She enjoys working out, reading, watching Disney movies and TV shows, and spending time with family.