Former Aggie and 2021-22 Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year Jamie Bonnarens has joined the Cameron University women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach.
“I have known Jamie and her family for a long time,” said Aggie head coach Jeff Mahoney about his new assistant. “She comes from a highly competitive sports background at Cache and brings to us young enthusiasm and big-time playing experience at the D2 and D1 levels. Everyone talks about family atmosphere, but we feel like a place would be hard pressed to find a staff that is now more connected to a university and southwest Oklahoma than the Lady Aggies.”
Bonnarens, a Cache, Okla. native, started her collegiate career playing for the Aggies from 2016-2018. The 6-foot forward averaged 16 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in her two seasons with Cameron on her way to first team All-Conference, second team All-Region, and LSC All-Academic team selections as a sophomore.
“It means so much to get this opportunity to return to Cameron as a coach,” said Bonnarens about returning to Lawton. “Cameron was the first school that gave me a chance to play collegiate basketball, a chance to start my career and I couldn’t be more excited to be back. Many people in this community have followed along with and supported me throughout my basketball journey. Getting this job feels like it’s all coming full circle and what better place to be a part of than where it all started. I am looking forward to the opportunity to be able to give back to the game and open doors for young women in the same way they were opened for me.”
The standout then transferred to Division I Colorado State, where she played in 51 games and totaled 442 points and 124 rebounds for the Rams while earning her undergrad in psychology and health and exercise science.
After two seasons at CSU, Bonnarens came closer to her home for her graduate transfer year in 2021-22, averaging 15.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for Abilene Christian on her way to being named the WAC Newcomer of the Year and first team All-Conference. For her career (five seasons), Bonnarens totaled 1,751 points, 627 rebounds, 217 assists, and 221 three-pointers made. She believes that experience she gained at her three stops will carry into her coaching style.
“Throughout my many years of playing, I have observed and experienced all different aspects of the game and I am eager to pass down everything I know to grow Cameron University’s women’s basketball program. Throughout my six years of playing collegiate basketball I have observed the right ways to communicate, empower, and relate to student athletes. I hope to inspire and educate the young women who come through this program to help them become the best version of themselves while they are here at Cameron.”
“Jamie has played at a high level her entire career and her success playing at that level from Cameron to Colorado State and then finishing at Abilene Christian will be invaluable for our young ladies.,” said Mahoney. “She is an A-plus person as well and I can’t wait for everyone to get an opportunity to meet her. During the search of close to 70 quality applicants, she rose to the top with all the intangibles that we stand for at Cameron. One of her former coaches commented: She will be irreplaceable to our program as a person and a leader. Welcome aboard Coach Bonnarens!”
Mahoney, Bonnarens, and volunteer assistant Mike Webb have a good core returning for the 2022-23 season that includes All-Conference guard Katie King and talented wing Korie Allensworth, who combined to average 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 steals for the Black and Gold last season. Those two, paired with the other returners and new signing class, give the staff a lot to work with for the upcoming year.
