Georgetown University Women's Basketball

Darnell Haney came to the Hilltop for the 2023-24 season as the associate head coach on Tasha Butts' staff. Following her passing, Haney was named the interim head coach and then earned the title of head coach in March of 2024. Last season, the Hoyas boasted three BIG EAST Conference honorees with Kelsey Ransom earning her second-consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST award as well as being named the Co-Sportsmanship Award winner. It marked the third-consecutive year a Hoya has won the award. Additionally, Ariel Jenkins was named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST after a breakout season, and Khadee Hession earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad. Ransom led the conference in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game, and Jenkins led the league on the glass with 10.0 rebounds per game as well as ranking among the top 10 in the nation in offensive rebounds. In his interim season with the Hoyas, Georgetown went 23-12 as well as 9-9 in conference play. It marked the most wins since the 2010-11 season, and the most conference victories since the 2018-19 campaign. More notably, Haney led the Hoyas to a magical run in the BIG EAST Tournament as the sixth-seeded Hoyas won three games in a row to advance to the BIG EAST championship game for the first time in program history. The path to the championship also included a win over No. 21 Creighton marking GU's first win over a team ranked in the AP poll since 2016. The Hoyas were then selected to participate in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament marking the first postseason run since 2019. GU advanced to the second round of the tournament. Individually, the Blue & Gray racked up honors with Kelsey Ransom being named the BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST as well as Graceann Bennett earning her second-consecutive BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award and Brianna Scott being named the BIG EAST Sixth Woman of the Year. It was GU's first major defensive award since 2019 and the first sixth woman in program history. Statistically, the Hoyas were known for their defensive prowess ranking 10th in the nation in scoring defense averaging 54.5. Haney came to Georgetown from Jacksonville University where he was the head coach for five seasons. He spent five seasons at the helm of the Jacksonville program, but 10 years with the Dolphins overall. In his time at Jacksonville, he coached 16 All-Atlantic Sun Conference players as well as two student-athletes garnering Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year accolades. As a head coach, he led the team to two wins in the ASUN Tournament. Working as an assistant coach with the Dolphins, Jacksonville was crowned the 2016 ASUN Champions and made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, the Dolphins made back-to-back Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) appearances in 2017 and 2018 – another first in the program's history. Prior to Jacksonville, Haney spent the 2010-13 seasons turning Jones High School's girls' basketball into a powerhouse program in Florida as its head coach. A three-time FACA Coach of the Year, Haney developed several Division I players, while also leading the program to a pair of district titles and state semifinal appearances. A Miami, Florida native, Haney served as an instructor for two years at The Edge Training Facility, known as the premier training facility in the state of Florida. In conjunction with former Boston Celtic Dee Brown, Haney performed team and individual skill development sessions, camps, and clinics, and worked with a range of clientele from beginning players, to elite prep, college, and professional athletes in the NBA and European Leagues. From 2006-09, Haney served in a pair of coaching roles in high school boys' basketball. From 2006-09, he was an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach to the legendary Jerry Howard at Jones High School in Orlando, where he developed 11 eventual collegiate athletes, three of whom went on to play professionally. Haney also served as head coach at South Lake High School in Groveland, Florida in 2009. A 2004 graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering technology, Haney also holds a Master's of Science in athletic administration from Nova Southeastern University graduating in 2010. He attended Miami Southridge Senior High School, where he was a three-year basketball letterman and team captain. He and his wife, Aaliyah, have three children, Imani, Caleb and Avery.  

Kelly Mazzante joined the staff in 2023 as an assistant coach, she was promoted to recruiting coordinator in 2024 and named the associate head coach prior to the 2025-26 season. Last season, the Hoyas boasted three BIG EAST Conference honorees with Kelsey Ransom earning her second-consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST award as well as being named the Co-Sportsmanship Award winner. It marked the third-consecutive year a Hoya has won the award. Additionally, Ariel Jenkins was named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST after a breakout season, and Khadee Hession earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad. Ransom led the conference in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game, and Jenkins led the league on the glass with 10.0 rebounds per game as well as ranking among the top 10 in the nation in offensive rebounds.   In her first season on the Hilltop, Georgetown had a historic year as the Blue & Gray advanced to the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in program history and participated in the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament. Individually, the Hoyas boasted the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, a BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award winner, the BIG EAST Sixth Woman and a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree.   The squad managed a record of 23-12 marking the first 20-win season since 2011-12. Along the way to the championship game, the Hoyas managed two upsets including a win over nationally-ranked Creighton who was sitting at No. 21 in the AP Poll at the time. Georgetown was one of the top teams in the country on the defensive end of the floor with a top 10 ranking for much of the season.   Mazzante came to GU after spending four seasons at Bucknell, being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2022-23 season. In her time with the Bison, the team appeared in one Patriot League championship game and made a WNIT run in 2021-22. The squad had its best season in 2019-20 going 24-6 and riding a nine-game win streak before the PL Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.   Overall, Mazzante coached three First Team All-Patriot League selections as well as three second team members and two named to the third team. She also mentored four Patriot League All-Tournament honorees.   The former Penn State standout returned to her roots after being one of the best local players in history while playing at nearby Montoursville High School. On Oct. 30, 2022, Mazzante was formally inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.   Prior to Bucknell, Mazzante spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At IUP, she guided the squad to its most illustrious stretch in program history, all of which resulted in 20-plus wins and bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Her time with the Crimson Hawks was capped by back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division II Final Four. These were the first and second Final Four games in program history. In all, the team went 130-29 (.818) overall and 92-17 (.844) in the PSAC while winning three PSAC West Regular Season Championships, two PSAC Tournament titles, and two Atlantic Region crowns.   Prior to coaching, Mazzante was a prolific player in high school, college, the WNBA and internationally. She graduated from Penn State in 2004 as the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer with 2,919 points. With the Nittany Lions, she was a two-time Associated Press First Team All-American, and the fourth player in Big Ten history to repeat as Player of the Year, earning the award as both a junior and senior. In addition to her career scoring record, she holds Penn State records for points in a season (872 in 2001-02), points in a game (49 vs. Minnesota in 2001), career field goals made (1,051) and career 3-point field goals made (357).   During her senior campaign, Mazzante led the Nittany Lions to their second-consecutive Big Ten championship and a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, with an eventual trip to the Elite Eight. Shortly after that she was drafted by the Charlotte Sting in the second round of the 2004 WNBA draft. This was the same draft class as former GU Head Coach Tasha Butts as well as Hoya standout Rebekkah Brunson. Mazzante went on to play seven seasons overall and won two league titles with the Phoenix Mercury in 2007 and 2009. Additionally, she played professionally for teams in Slovakia, Russia, Hungary and Italy.   Few players in Pennsylvania high school girl’s basketball history have been able to match the numbers put up by Mazzante during her time at Montoursville. The Williamsport, Pennsylvania, native scored 3,217 points as a four-year starter, which ranked third in state history when she graduated. She led the Warriors to state championship appearances as both a junior and senior, winning the Eastern Pennsylvania regional titles both seasons.   Off of the court, Mazzante earned a Bachelor's of Science in public relations/communications from Penn State in 2004. She was a three-time Academic All-America selection, including Academic All-American of the Year as a senior.   She and her wife Alicia have one daughter, Mila.  

Kadari Mitchell was named the assistant director of player development in June of 2024 after serving as a graduate assistant last season. Mitchell will assist with player on-court development and focus on team analytics and practice environment as well as overseeing the managers. Mitchell’s background is in track & field as he was a sprinter at the University of South Carolina - Beaufort. Mitchell qualified in the 100m and 200m at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, while also qualifying in the 60m and 200m at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. He also took third place at the 2021 Sun Conference Outdoor Championships. He is an NAIA three-time National All-American and holds six school records at USCB. Mitchell also competed briefly for the Hoya track & field squad where he is ranked among the top five on the all-time list for both the indoor 60m and 200m. The Savannah, Georgia native attended New Hampstead High School where he obtained multiple all-region honors and won a region championship in basketball in 2018. He also was a multiple-time state qualifier in track & field in both sprints and jumps. Professionally, Mitchell spent a season with the Washington Mystics as a brand ambassador for the 2023 campaign. Mitchell graduated from USCB in April of 2022 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. He earned his master’s degree in sports industry management from Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies in May, 2024. He resides in Northwest Washington, D.C.  

Eric Lindsey was been promoted to assistant coach after serving as the recruiting coordinator for a season. Lindsey is a local product who has spent time in college athletics for the past few years on the creative side. Last season, the Hoyas boasted three BIG EAST Conference honorees with Kelsey Ransom earning her second-consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST award as well as being named the Co-Sportsmanship Award winner. It marked the third-consecutive year a Hoya has won the award. Additionally, Ariel Jenkins was named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST after a breakout season, and Khadee Hession earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad. Ransom led the conference in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game, and Jenkins led the league on the glass with 10.0 rebounds per game as well as ranking among the top 10 in the nation in offensive rebounds. In his first year on the Hilltop, Georgetown had a historic year as the Blue & Gray advanced to the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in program history and participated in the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament. Individually, the Hoyas boasted the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, a BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award winner, the BIG EAST Sixth Woman and a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree. The squad managed a record of 23-12 marking the first 20-win season since 2011-12. Along the way to the championship game, the Hoyas managed two upsets including a win over nationally-ranked Creighton who was sitting at No. 21 in the AP Poll at the time. Georgetown was one of the top teams in the country on the defensive end of the floor with a top 10 ranking for much of the season. Prior to Georgetown, Lindsey spent a season at Western Kentucky where he was a graduate assistant where he assisted with practice planning and player workouts along with graphic design and photography related to recruiting. Outside of the college ranks, Lindsey was the head girls basketball coach at Northern High School in Calvert County, Maryland. Lindsey graduated in 2017 from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland where he was a communications major. He was also a member of the Shock men’s basketball team.    

Mariya Moore came to the Hilltop in 2023 as an assistant coach. Previously, she was at Saint Mary’s College where she spent two years as an assistant for the Gaels after a successful college career. Last season, the Hoyas boasted three BIG EAST Conference honorees with Kelsey Ransom earning her second-consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST award as well as being named the Co-Sportsmanship Award winner. It marked the third-consecutive year a Hoya has won the award. Additionally, Ariel Jenkins was named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST after a breakout season, and Khadee Hession earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad. Ransom led the conference in scoring averaging 20.4 points per game, and Jenkins led the league on the glass with 10.0 rebounds per game as well as ranking among the top 10 in the nation in offensive rebounds. In her first season, Georgetown had a historic year as the Blue & Gray advanced to the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in program history and participated in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament. Individually, the Hoyas boasted the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, a BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award winner, the BIG EAST Sixth Woman and a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree. The squad managed a record of 23-12 marking the first 20-win season since 2011-12. Along the way to the championship game, the Hoyas managed two upsets including a win over nationally-ranked Creighton who was sitting at No. 21 in the AP Poll at the time. Georgetown was one of the top teams in the country on the defensive end of the floor with a top 10 ranking for much of the season. In two seasons at Saint Mary’s, Moore helped the Gaels to the 2022 WBI Championship, 31 wins and a victory in the West Coast Conference Tournament. She mentored players that received six all-conference honors as well as one player that competed at the State Farm, College Slam 3-Point Championships. Moore was responsible for player development and scouting, along with being an academic liaison, fundraising coordinator, and community service coordinator. In 2023, she was named to the WBCA Thirty Under 30 which recognizes 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game. Moore enjoyed incredible success as a player during her collegiate career, beginning at Louisville and ending at USC. As a freshman guard with the Cardinals, Moore was named to the ACC All-Freshman team, as well as earning Second Team All-ACC honors. She landed on the All-ACC team during all three seasons at Louisville, culminating in WBCA All-American honorable mention honors as a sophomore after averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. She was selected to the Naismith Trophy Watch List three times at Louisville. The Richmond, California native transferred to USC after her junior season and wrapped up her collegiate career during the 2018-19 academic year with the Trojans, where she made the All-Pac 12 honorable mention list after averaging 13.0 ppg and knocking down 59 3-pointers. Moore has extensive international experience prior to her collegiate days, winning two gold medals for the United States. In 2014, she took home gold with the USA Women's U-18 team at the 2014 FIBA Americas U-18 Championship, and again the next year with Team USA at the 2015 FIBA U-19 World Championship in Russia. She also competed at the USA Basketball Women's U-23 team trials. A product of Salesian High School, Moore was a 2014 McDonald's All-American and racked up a host of awards during her high school career, including USA Today All-California First Team and the San Francisco Chronicle Player of the Year award twice.  

Kelli Myers is in her eighth year at Georgetown University and her third as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sport Administration and Chief of Staff. In her current role with the Hoyas, she provides top level support for the Director of Athletics and a department of 30 sports and nearly 800 student-athletes. She is the direct sport supervisor for the women's basketball, women's soccer and men’s lacrosse program. Myers also serves as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).   Myers oversees the strategic plan for the department and his responsible for the leadership and professional development of Georgetown’s head and assistant coaches. Under her purview, the Hoyas implemented the university’s 30th varsity sport – squash - which began varsity play in 2021-22.   Prior to her administrative role with the Hoyas, Myers served a variety of roles within the university’s Office of Advancement – both in the department of athletics and the Georgetown University Medical Center.  Before coming to the Hilltop, Myers was the Director of Southeast / Northeast Region & Partner Development with the Side-Out Foundation. As part of volleyball’s most important support and advocacy organizations, she helped raise over $4.4 million in her four years to support breast cancer awareness   Following a standout collegiate playing career, Myers embarked on a 14-year coaching career on the volleyball court. With stops as an assistant at George Washington University and Ohio University, she went on to become the head coach at the University of Connecticut, earning a 134-78 record with the Huskies and mentoring 17 All-BIG EAST and AVCA All-Region players, 22 BIG EAST Academic All-Stars and winning the 1998 BIG EAST Regular Season Championship. She concluded her collegiate coaching career at Wheaton College from 2005-06 before entering the world of non-profit fundraising and development.   A two-sport student-athlete at the University of Maryland, College Park, Myers played volleyball and basketball for the Terrapins. She was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior and senior in volleyball and was a captain of the U.S.A. OLYMPIC Sports Festival women’s volleyball team at the Los Angeles Summer Games and was a tryout participant for the U.S. National Team in 1990. She has been a recipient of the University of Maryland Terrapin Club Award and is an inductee in the Washington County Maryland Sports Hall of Fame.   Myers is earned her B.S. in physical education and kinesiology form the University of Maryland, College Park and her M.S. in physical education with concentration in athletic administration from Ohio University.  

Jamesha Clanton came to the Hilltop in November of 2023 to serve as the director of operations for the women's basketball program. Clanton came to Georgetown from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was the assistant director of business operations for football since September of 2021. Prior to joining UNC, Clanton spent two years at George Washington University as a financial analyst, where she managed the budget for 18 teams and units within the athletics department.   Clanton started her career in tax accounting, working for both KPMG and Robert C. Gottke, CPA, PLLC.  While maintaining her accounting career, Clanton interned with the Washington Redskins as a PR gameday intern and also worked with Separation Sports Management, assisting with their budgeting, planning, and execution of elite basketball showcases and tournaments across the country.   Clanton earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Howard University in 2011. While attending Howard, she worked with their football program as a student manager. She resides in Northeast DC.