ATLANTA—South Dakota assistant coach Ariel Braker has been named as one of the Women's Basketball Coach Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 honorees.
 
"I am extremely grateful to be receiving this award with an incredible group of young coaches across the country," said Braker. "Being at the University of South Dakota has broadened my horizons not only as a coach, but as a person. I would like to thank the WBCA, my family, my past coaches, players and mentors that have helped me every step of the way. Lastly, I would like to thank Coach P and everything she has done for me in my career in basketball."
 
The WBCA's Thirty Under 30 program was developed to recognize and honor 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Braker joins fellow USD assistant coach Aaron Horn as recipients of the award.
 
Braker serves as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under South Dakota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Coyotes captured both Summit League regular season and tournament championship titles in 2022. South Dakota advanced to its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament this season. Braker's responsibilities include organizing USD's recruiting, preparing defensive opponent scouts and player development.
 
"We are very blessed to have Ariel as an integral member of our women's basketball program here at the University of South Dakota," said Plitzuweit. "She is so driven, energetic, and so passionate about developing our players on and off the court! She is an incredible mentor for our young ladies and we are excited for Ariel to receive this national recognition!"
 
Braker is in her first season at South Dakota, after coaching stints at Oakland (DI), Lehigh (DI), Western Texas (NJCAA), Grosse Point North (HS) and Wayne State University (DII). Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Braker was a two-year starter and tri-captain in her four-year career at Notre Dame under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw. She was a member of the winningest class in program history, with a 138-15 overall record, four Final Four berths and three National Championship appearances.
 
Recipients of the Thirty Under 30 award must exemplify professional manner and attitude, mentorship and impact on others, community service engagement and professional association involvement.

2022 Thirty Under 30 Class

Name	Title	Institution
Gillian Abshire	Assistant Coach	La Salle University
Elizabeth Andrews	Head Coach	John Carroll University
Kaleigh Badecki	Assistant Coach	Gettysburg College
Kevi Boykin	Assistant Coach	Rice University
Ariel Braker	Assistant Coach	University of South Dakota
Mariyah Brawner-Henley	Assistant Coach	Illinois State University
Amy Briggs	Assistant Coach	Truman State University
Camryn Brown	Assistant Coach	West Virginia State University
Jill Conroy	Associate Head Coach	Stevens Institute of Technology
Kaitlyn Cresencia	Assistant Coach	Quinnipiac University
Symone Denham	Assistant Coach	University of New Mexico
Jillian Dunston	Assistant Coach	Drexel University
Danielle Edwards	Assistant Coach	Southern Methodist University
Jen Fay	Assistant Coach	Quinnipiac University
Imani Gordon	Head Coach	Notre Dame College of Ohio
Chanel Green	Assistant Coach	Notre Dame College of Ohio
Hana Haden	Head Coach	Moberly Area Community College
Kirsten Hammer	Assistant Coach	Univ. of Wisconsin- Whitewater
Victoria Jankoska	Assistant Coach	Missouri State University
Abby Jump	Assistant Coach	University of Memphis
Brittney Kenney	Head Coach	St. Mary's College of Maryland
Jenna Kotas	Assistant Coach	University of Illinois - Springfield
Jashae Lee	Assistant Coach	New Mexico Junior College
Kaitlyn Lewis	Assistant Coach	University of Scranton
Victoria Lux	Assistant Coach	Massachusetts Inst. of Technology
Chandler Merkerson	Assistant Coach	Samford University
Abigail Owings	Assistant Coach	Eastern Kentucky University
Jalen Powell	Assistant Coach	Ohio State University
Addy Roller	Assistant Coach	Drury University
Ashley Yu	Assistant Coach	Dominican University