Thank you for joining us today on “Call to Coaching”. Today’s special guest is Coach Desma Thomas Bateast. Coach Desma is an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator at Florida State University. She is a new addition to the staff this year. Previously, Coach Desma was an assistant coach at Cleveland State University for three years. During her time at Cleveland State, Coach Desma helped the Vikings achieve a Horizon League Championship and an appearance at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Before her time at Cleveland State, Coach Desma was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at FAU. She was also an assistant coach at USF from 2013-2017 and helped the Bulls make four postseason appearances, three of which were in the NCAA tournament and three consecutive AAC Championship appearances. Prior to her time at USF Coach Desma coached at FIU, Rhode Island, and Dillard University. In 2005-2006 she was a scout for the New York Liberty. Coach Desma played at the collegiate level at The University of Miami and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2012. After her time at Miami Coach Desma played professionally for five years.

Thank you for joining us on Call to Coaching! Today we have Coach Chris Ayers joining us. Coach Ayers is an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for the Ole Miss women’s basketball team. The rebels wrapped up their 22-23 season on an impressive run at the NCAA Tournament making it to the Sweet 16 and finishing 25-9. In his time at Ole Miss, Coach Ayers has helped recruit and develop elite players. He helped secure the SEC’s top ranked class in 2019-2020. That 2019-2020 freshman class included Madison Scott, Jacorriah Bracey, and Snudda Collins. Madison Scott became the SEC Freshman of the Year and she and Collins were on the SEC All-Freshman team. That season they also secured ESPN’s top-ranked transfer, Shakira Austin. In her time at Ole Miss, Austin was awarded First-Team All SEC, the Gillom trophy recipient in 2021 and 2022, an Honorable Mention All-America, and became the 3rd overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Coach Ayers has also helped mentor and develop impressive players such as Angel Baker, Myah Taylor, Mimi Reid, and Crystal Allen. Coach Ayers broke into the Division I women’s college basketball scene at Georgia Tech where he was a graduate manager during the 2017-2018 season. As a graduate manager, Coach Ayers assisted with scouting and player development. Prior to his time at Georgia Tech, Coach Ayers worked as a high school coach for boys’ and girls’ basketball. He also was an assistant coach for the Nike Essence AAU program. While he coached high school and AAU, Coach Ayers had more than 100 athletes that went on to play collegiately, professionally, or both.

Thank you for joining us today on Call to Coaching! Today we have special guest Coach Ali Sanders joining us. Coach Sanders is currently an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Harvard women’s basketball team. This past season was Ali’s first year at Harvard. The team finished 20-12 with three wins in the WNIT tournament, making school history with the team’s first appearance in the Great 8. After the 22-23 season, Coach Sanders gained a spot on the WBCA’s 30 under 30 list. Previously, Coach Sanders was an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Monmouth from 21-22. Before that, she served as an Assistant Coach at La Salle University during the 20-21 season, where she headed recruiting and video operations. Coach Sanders was also the video coordinator at Penn State 19-20, and the video coordinator at Marquette 18-19. Prior to her time at Marquette Ali was a graduate assistant and video coordinator for the women’s basketball team at The University of Florida. Coach Sanders broke into the college basketball scene when she played for Florida Southern, leading the team in scoring her junior year. Coach Sanders thank you for joining us today!