JoAnna Smith Joins Women’s Basketball Staff as Assistant Coach/Director of Basketball Operations
9/18/2025 10:07:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo women's basketball head coach Kristen Sharkey has announced the addition of former UB great JoAnna Smith as an Assistant Coach and Director of Basketball Operations. Smith joins assistant coaches Allison Spaschak, Damon Jones and Summer Hemphill on staff for the 2025-26 season.
Smith had a decorated four-year career in the blue and white, capped by a special senior season in which she was named Second Team All-MAC, earning all-conference recognition for the second straight season, after averaging a team-best 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 assists per game while notching a career-best 54 steals and connecting on 89 three-pointers, fourth most in a single season in program history.
The Southaven, MS native is the winningest player in program history since the Bulls joined the MAC in 1998-99, collecting 78 wins in 121 career games, which ranks fifth all-time. Smith ranks in the top 10 in program history in career points (1,395), field goals made (494) and three-point field goals made (208).
Smith graduated from UB in 2017 with a degree in Transnational and African American Studies. Following her UB career, she played professionally in Portugal and has served in various professional customer service organizations.
"There's nothing more special than when a former teammate and player becomes your assistant coach because it means the values you built together are still alive," said Sharkey. "Her love for this University runs as deep as mine, and together we get to pour that passion back into the next generation. This is what we like to call a 'God wink'. I get to bring one of the most incredible people I know into our program, and I know she will push our ladies and provide invaluable insight for their careers. I am so happy Jo is joining us. Buffalo just got better!"
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Smith had a decorated four-year career in the blue and white, capped by a special senior season in which she was named Second Team All-MAC, earning all-conference recognition for the second straight season, after averaging a team-best 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 assists per game while notching a career-best 54 steals and connecting on 89 three-pointers, fourth most in a single season in program history.
The Southaven, MS native is the winningest player in program history since the Bulls joined the MAC in 1998-99, collecting 78 wins in 121 career games, which ranks fifth all-time. Smith ranks in the top 10 in program history in career points (1,395), field goals made (494) and three-point field goals made (208).
Smith graduated from UB in 2017 with a degree in Transnational and African American Studies. Following her UB career, she played professionally in Portugal and has served in various professional customer service organizations.
"There's nothing more special than when a former teammate and player becomes your assistant coach because it means the values you built together are still alive," said Sharkey. "Her love for this University runs as deep as mine, and together we get to pour that passion back into the next generation. This is what we like to call a 'God wink'. I get to bring one of the most incredible people I know into our program, and I know she will push our ladies and provide invaluable insight for their careers. I am so happy Jo is joining us. Buffalo just got better!"
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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