Radford women’s basketball head coach Mike McGuire selected Abby Oliver as his Director of Basketball Operations Tuesday morning.
The two are reunited after spending six seasons together, including four at the University of Richmond.
“I am excited about Abby joining our staff as the Director of Basketball Operations,” McGuire said. “I had the opportunity to coach Abby for six years and think the world of her. She has always been a tireless worker with an uncommon passion for basketball and competing. I look forward to her bringing that same mindset to our coaching staff and program. Abby was the epitome of a student-athlete in high school and college. She will be someone our team can talk to about what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level. Because of her work ethic and passion for the game, she has a bright future in coaching as well.”
Oliver had a stellar playing career at Richmond, leading the Spiders to the WNIT each of her four years. In addition to leading the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring her senior season at 16.5 points per game, the first-team all-conference selection was the NCAA Division I Free Throw champion (94 percent) and the 2011-12 University of Richmond Athlete of the Year.
The Roanoke, Va. native ended her decorated career as the program’s seventh leading scorer, dropping in 1,488 points. She was chosen as the A-10 Sixth Player of the Year in 2009-10 and guided the Spiders to a runner-up finish in the 2009 conference tournament.
Her phenomenal collegiate career paved the way for Oliver’s jump to the professional ranks. She played for Elizur Netanya in Netanya, Israel this past year.
Prior to Richmond, Oliver was the floor general for McGuire at Hidden Valley High School. The tandem hoisted back-to-back Group AA state titles in 2007 and 2008, in addition to finishing runner-up in 2006.
The 2007 and 2008 River Ridge District Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year, Oliver was a two-time All-Timesland Player of the Year and a two-time All-State First Team honoree. After averaging 18.2 points, 3.1 assists and three steals per game during her senior campaign, Oliver was named Group AA Co-Player of the Year.
Oliver earned her bachelor’s degree in leadership studies with a minor in business administration from Richmond in May 2012. The daughter of Dick and Beverly Oliver has two brothers: Brad and Andy. Her father played football for the University of North Carolina and her brother Brad ran track for the Tar Heels in 2004.
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