Former Badger standout Anya Covington has joined the Wisconsin women’s basketball staff, head coach Bobbie Kelsey announced. She replaces Alysiah Bond, who was named the director of women’s basketball operations at Michigan State last week.
“It is a privilege to welcome Anya back to our program as an assistant coach,” Kelsey said. “We could not have thought of a better person to join us and bring the warmth, passion and inspiration that Anya possess. She is the right person at the right time and having coached her, she will align her exceptional qualities as a person and coach with my philosophy as the head coach.”
In Kelsey’s first season at Wisconsin, Covington was a 2012 consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, ranking second on the squad with 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. A three-time team captain, the 6-2 forward was a two-time Big Ten Sportsmanship award winner. She played in 123 games in the Cardinal and White, averaging 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field.
“I’m overjoyed to be back in Madison and working for my former coach,” Covington said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me. Not only am I extremely proud to be an alumna from this top-notch university, but I am honored to be back in a position to enhance this program with my energy, passion and the Wisconsin mentality of hard work and toughness.”
Following her graduation, Covington continued her playing career in the professional ranks overseas on a USA team against Ukraine and Moldova while ministering to those areas through Athletes in Action. She averaged 13.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game with the DBBL Rhein Main basketball team before suffering a season-ending injury. Covington also coached two teams while playing, assisting the Rhein Main U17 and U13 clubs in Germany to winning seasons.
“The opportunity to learn and grow from head coach Bobbie Kelsey and the talented staff members is unparalleled,” added Covington. “A strong team of coaches will be vital to the cohesiveness of the team and that has already presented itself true among the staff.
“I am very excited to work with the current players, help them develop on and off the court and help each of them reach the greatness that is within them. I’m bringing a defensive mind set and a servant’s heart that bleeds Wisconsin Cardinal and the tradition of excellence that this university was founded on.”
After her playing career was done, Covington served as a graduate assistant for former UW assistant coach Kathi Bennett at Northern Illinois during the 2013-14 season. She joined the staff at Evansville, under former UW assistant coach Oties Epps, in 2014-15, aiding the Purple Aces to a 13-19 record. Covington aided forward Mallory Ladd to a spot on the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference All-Tournament team and honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Anya will attract the kind of high character, athletically-skilled, academically-astute recruits we covet because she will to put in the time and work it requires,” Kelsey added. “She is not afraid of the challenge required to build a first-class program. She helped change the culture and attitude of the program from the beginning of my tenure here and will continue to do so in her appointment. Anya is passionate about the game of basketball but more importantly she will inspire our young women to be their very best, both on the court as well as in the classroom.”
A native of Edwardsville, Illinois, Covington graduated from Wisconsin with a degree in English in 2012.
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/090215aaa.html
