ATLANTA, Ga. – Niagara women's basketball assistant coach Kayla DeCriscio has been named as a Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 honoree, announced by the WBCA on Wednesday.  

The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.

"I am extremely honored and blessed to be able to do what I love every day," DeCriscio said. "I am even more honored to be a part of the 2021 WBCA Thirty Under 30 class. Receiving this prestigious award will push me to work harder each and every day, as well as continue to lead and mentor the wonderful young ladies I have the opportunity of coaching."

DeCriscio, who had previously served as Niagara's Director of Basketball Operations during the 2018-19 season, joined the Purple Eagles as an assistant coach in 2020. DeCriscio works closely with the development of Niagara's guards. She helped the Purple Eagles to a 4-7 record in 2020-21, including the program's first all-time win against MAAC opponent Quinnipiac, and was instrumental in the development of sophomore guard Angel Parker, who was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team.

"I am so happy for Kayla," said NU women's basketball head coach Jada Pierce. "She is a true student of the game and loves to teach what she's learned and works tirelessly in those efforts. Kayla is a great role model and mentor to our student-athletes. It's great to see her get recognized by the WBCA for all of her hard work and dedication to help grow our game. She is a rising star in our business and we are thankful to have her at Niagara!"

Prior to returning to Niagara, DeCriscio served as an assistant coach at Detroit Mercy for the 2019-20 season, where she also specialized in guard development and was the director of the team's summer camps. She got her start in the field as the graduate assistant/director of basketball operations at Detroit Mercy from 2016-18.

DeCriscio played basketball at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, an NCAA Division II institution, and she ranks in the top 20 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in career 3-point field goal percentage (39%).

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