BERKELEY – The California women's basketball program has hired Kiara Russell, a former Arizona State guard and UConn graduate assistant, as its director of player development, Cal head coach Charmin Smith announced Thursday.
 
Russell will be involved in the basketball development of student-athletes through video analysis and on-court skill training. She will lead all non-conference and conference video projects related to self-scouting and opponent scouting for the program. In addition, she will implement developmental goals and plans for player development.
 
"Kiara is a great fit for Cal women's basketball," Smith said. "She was a high-level player and student at Arizona State who knows this conference well and what it will take for our players to excel and continue to build on the progress we've made. Her strong interpersonal relationship skills will allow her to foster strong connections with student-athletes, recruits and the Cal community. She is a great addition to our circle."
 
Russell was most recently a graduate assistant at UConn from 2021-23, where she assisted with scouting reports and film breakdown prior to games, participated in guard and post player daily workouts, helped with all aspects of recruiting and oversaw all student-managers and practice players.
 
"I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the California Bears family and to be back in the Pac," Russell said. "Charmin embodies true passion and love for the game that is unmatched. Her commitment and loyalty to this program and to cultivate a winning culture is something that excites me about working for this organization."
 
Russell appeared in 118 games (34 starts) for Arizona State from 2016-20 where she helped the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2019. She earned a Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention in 2020, two Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mentions in 2018 and 2019 and was named to the Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll as senior.
 
Russell received her bachelor's degree from Arizona State in sociology and business and is currently working on her master's in educational leadership and sports management from UConn.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal women's basketball, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWBBall), Instagram (@CalWBBball) and Facebook (/CalWBBall/).