June 19, 2002

Los Angeles, Calif., - Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - Loyola Marymount University head women's basketball coach Julie Wilhoit announced today the addition of Janae Hubbard to her staff.

Hubbard completes the Lions' coaching staff for the upcoming 2002-03 season. As an assistant under Coach Wilhoit she will aid in the development of the post players, an area of the game in which she possesses a vast amount of knowledge and experience. She will also assist with practice and game strategies and will be primarily responsible for film exchange.

Hubbard, who brings a wealth of experience and game savvy, spent the last year founding and serving as executive director for the Village of Zion, a nonprofit organization established to help at risk youths, children and their families. In the coaching ranks, she recently served as head freshman girl's basketball coach at West Torrance High School in Torrance, Calif. As head coach, Hubbard instilled the importance of the fundamentals of the game, devised practice plans and developed game and pregame strategies.

Prior to West Torrance, Hubbard served as an assistant coach for the AAU 17-under elite girl's basketball team from March of 2001 through August of 2001 and was the head coach of Jr. Lakers team, a YMCA sponsor, from December of 2000 through March of 2001. Under her tutelage, the AAU team boasted 10 players ranked among the top-10 in the nation. As an assistant, she helped establish the team's offensive strategy as well as being solely responsible for the development of the post players. As head coach of the Jr. Lakers Hubbard gained experience teaching children ball handling, passing, rebounding and sportsmanship.

Hubbard brings an extensive amount of playing experience, collegiate and professional, as well. A 2001 graduate of UCLA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies with a concentration in history. A four-time letterwinner with the Bruins, she led her team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 1999, 2000). Hubbard earned the UCLA Women's Basketball Team Bruin Award her senior year, the Bruin Award is granted to the player that exemplifies the Bruin work ethic both on the court and in the classroom. She was a three-time All-Pacific 10 honorable mention selection and a two-time Academic Honor Roll member. An extremely gifted athlete, Hubbard was selected as a member of the 1999 USA Junior National Team. Following her career as a Bruin, she went on to play overseas professionally in the Greek National League. Hubbard was a member of Team Apollon from December 2001-April 2002 where she led her squad in scoring and rebounding.

A 1996 graduate of Fresno High School, Hubbard was a four-year starter and two-time All-County Player of the Year. She currently resides in Inglewood, Calif.

-GO LIONS-