The University of Indianapolis has announced Jama Sharp as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program. A native of the state of Indiana, Sharp has served as an assistant coach at her alma mater Stetson University for the past five seasons.
A former Stetson University three-time captain, Female Athlete of the Year, and 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year, Sharp becomes the 11th head coach in Greyhound program history. A formal meet & greet will be announced soon.
“I am excited to welcome Jama Sharp to the University of Indianapolis as our women’s head basketball coach,” stated UIndy President, Dr. Tanuja Singh. “Jama is earnest, eager, and energetic, and her academic and athletic achievements as a player, coach, and recruiter are a perfect match for who UIndy is will always be – I am thrilled Jama is coming home to Indiana to become a Greyhound.”
Sharp returns to her home state for the first time since 2011 when she graduated as Mooresville High School’s all-time leading scorer and was named an Indiana All-Star before attending college at Stetson.
“I want to thank Dr. Gines and Greg Shaheen for the incredible opportunity to be a part of the Greyhound family,” said Sharp. “I am excited to be back home and be at the helm of such a storied program.”
University of Indianapolis Interim VP of Athletics Dr. D. Scott Gines stated, “We searched for an ideal role model, a leader who builds team cohesion, and someone with a track record for identifying prospects’ inner potential and helping them reach their true potential. In this, we also wanted someone with a deep-rooted passion for Indiana basketball as a whole.”
During her coaching tenure at Stetson, Sharp progressed from coordinating and organizing practices, creating recruiting graphics and materials, running the team’s social media accounts, and specifically working on-court with guards, to later leading the offense, and, most recently serving as Steston’s defensive coordinator.
As a point guard and member of the Hatters from 2011-15, Sharp scored more than 1,200 career points and played in all 133 games while twice earning A-SUN All-Conference honors and graduating cum laude.
Prior to joining the Stetson bench, Sharp made stops at three academically-selective Power Five programs within the SEC, Big 12, and ACC. Initially beginning as part of the scouting and video coordination teams at the University of Florida, the University of Texas, and the University of Virginia, Sharp advanced to become an assistant coach at Virginia for one season.
“UIndy is an outstanding university, both academically and athletically, and I’m excited to get things rolling!” Sharp concluded.
Sharp recently earned her Master of Business Administration from Stetson, two years removed from being inducted into the university’s athletics hall of fame. She was also inducted into the Mooresville High School Hall of Fame in 2022.
Gines went on to share, “Jama is real, in the moment, humble and confident, an adaptively competitive leader who knows the value of extra effort and blessings of education, and I am confident UIndy women’s basketball is in great hands.”
What they’re saying about Coach Sharp…
Stetson University head coach Lynn Bria:
“The impact Jama has had on the Stetson women’s basketball program over the years can never be replaced. She has worked diligently, both as a player and an assistant coach. Her accolades speak for themselves. While I am saddened to see her leave, I am also excited about this incredible opportunity for her. Jama will be amazing for UIndy’s women’s basketball program and the entire University. UIndy has hit a grand slam on this hire!”
Indiana University head coach Teri Moren:
“Jama is an outstanding choice for UIndy. She possesses a tremendous work ethic, is a talented recruiter and has a great passion for the game. She knows how to win and will lead the UIndy program with class.”
