Former champion brings winning ways to coaching staff
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/06/2009
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New assistant coach Ukari Figgs is expected to help with recruitment and player development for the women’s basketball team.
A former Boiler guard, Figgs was added to the team’s coaching staff in the offseason and has already made an impact on senior guard Jodi Howell’s game.
“She told me to keep my head up when I’m attacking off the dribble, because I tend to look down, and I didn’t catch it for how many years?” Howell said with a smile.
Figgs helped her team win Purdue’s only women’s basketball NCAA championship, in 1999, while earning an engineering degree. She also went on to have a successful career in the WNBA, and head coach Sharon Versyp plans to showcase that resume in recruitment.
“People know her; people remember her,” Versyp said. “(The national championship has) been about ten years ago, and she played in the WNBA and won a world championship there, so people know that she’s played here and won a national championship.
“And she’s got an engineering degree and all those things, so for us it’s a really nice recruiting tool.”
Sophomore guard Brittany Rayburn said Figgs connects with the team well.
“She has so much experience,” Rayburn said. “She’s come here from a national championship team and it’s only been ten years since she’s been in our shoes.”
Overall, Versyp said Figgs was a great fit for the program and staff.
“Ukari’s settling really well,” Versyp said. “When you have a passion for the game and a passion for Purdue University, then things usually go a bit smoother. Being on the court, she’s obviously a good teacher and a coach.”