SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Shandrika Lee enters her first season as an assistant coach at Santa Clara in 2014-15. She spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Oregon women's basketball program.
"I came to Santa Clara for the unique opportunity to coach alongside amazing mentors who take pride in developing leaders of character both on and off the court," said Lee. "I admire the family environment JR has created within her programs, and I am excited to be a part of this. I whole heatedly believe in Santa Clara's balance between academics and athletics and hands on approach to both learning and service. What an honor to be a part of this special tradition."
"We are so excited to have Shandrika join our coaching staff," said Santa Clara head coach JR Payne. "She was a fabulous point guard in the WCC and has built a great reputation as one of the best recruiters on the west coast. She will bring great experience and intensity both on and off the court."
Prior to her appointment at Army, Lee spent four years as an assistant under longtime Cal Poly head coach Faith Mimnaugh. While in San Luis Obispo, Calif., she was responsible for developing the guards, which included two-time first team all-Big West selection Jessica Eggleston. Under Lee's watch, Tamara Wells and Ashlee Stewart were also named to the all-Big West freshman team.
Lee was part of a staff that put together Cal Poly's winningest season in 2008-09 (21-11). She also spearheaded many of the Mustangs' community outreach programs and fundraising events. Lee also served as director of Cal Poly's women's basketball camps, and was the co-director of the Holiday Beach Classic from 2005-09.
A 2004 graduate and standout at Pepperdine, Lee led the Waves in points (13.4 ppg), assists (3.2 apg) and steals (1.4 spg) and earned first team all-West Coast Conference honors as a senior in 2003-04. She led her team to a 17-13 mark and a berth in the Women's NIT. Lee's junior season was cut short by an ACL injury just prior to Pepperdine's WCC opener. She did, however, average 17.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per contest prior to her season-ending injury.
Lee, who paced Pepperdine in steals during three of her four seasons in Malibu, Calif., ranks fifth all-time in program history with 183 steals. Pepperdine's 14th-leading scorer behind 1,172 career points, Lee also ranks second in program history with 173 made 3-pointers, third with an .813 free throw percentage and eighth with a .348 3-point percentage. Her .449 accuracy from behind the arc in 2002-03 remains a Pepperdine record.
During Lee's tenure, Pepperdine qualified for two NCAA Tournaments and made a pair of WNIT showings under head coach Mark Trakh. Lee's standout collegiate career earned her an invitational tryout with the Los Angeles Sparks following graduation.
A two-time WCC All-Academic nominee, Lee graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports medicine. She later earned her master's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in physical education and sport studies from Cal Poly in June 2008.
Originally from Moreno Valley, Calif., Lee served as the junior varsity girls' basketball coach and varsity assistant at Ramona High in Riverside, Calif., prior to her time at Cal Poly.
Lee has also served as a personal basketball trainer, working with professional-bound athletes as well as designing and training women's basketball lift, strength and speed programs.
Lee's brother, Malcolm, was an all-conference performer at UCLA before being selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
Tomorrow meet Bianca Ziemann.