Women's basketball Elyssa Coleman announces medical retirement

SAN ANTONIO – Friday, Elyssa Coleman announced his medical retirement from basketball after three outstanding seasons with UTSA.

Following complications from multiple ACL reconstruction surgeries, Coleman made the difficult decision to medically retire, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my medical retirement from basketball. This is not a decision that was taken lightly, and after several surgeries and an unexpected upcoming one, I will sadly have to step away from a sport I have loved since I was seven years old. I want to thank Coach Karen (Aston) and the entire UTSA coaching staff for welcoming me and always surrounding me with love during my three years here. To my teammates, I will forever and always cherish our relationships and I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished last season…I can’t wait to see you all continue to make history. Everyone at UTSA has been incredibly supportive during this difficult time, from Tam Nguyen and our training team to working with Carl Austin III on a daily basis in our training center; I am forever grateful. Finally, I would not be the woman I am today without the love and support of my family. Your unwavering confidence in me and my abilities on and off the field has not been taken for granted. I truly appreciate your sacrifices that allowed me to realize my lifelong dream… Once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner, Birds Up!

After transferring from Texas to UTSA, Coleman’s career was marked by resilience and success. She redshirted her freshman season due to injury, but that didn’t deter her. Over the past three seasons, she has become a standout performer for the Roadrunners. Her defensive prowess was unmatched, as she became the program’s all-time blocking leader, stopping an impressive 140 shots. She also joined UTSA’s prestigious 500 rebound club, hauling in 588 boards, the ninth-most in school history. In her 94 games for the team, she started 78, averaging 9.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG.

She played a major role in a historic 2023-24 season that saw the Runners earn their first-ever playoff victory via an 80-62 victory over Northern Colorado in the first round of the WNIT. Coleman was recognized as an NCAA starting five after posting a 32-point, 19-rebound performance against Wichita State in what was the Runners American Athletic Conference’s first victory. Additionally, she was selected to the 2022-23 Conference-USA All-Defensive Team and was named to the 2021-22 C-USA Commissioners Honor Roll.

“Elyssa has certainly left her mark on this program,” Coach Aston said. “She played an integral role in establishing the foundation of UTSA women’s basketball, and I am very grateful for everything she has done here. Throughout this process, she has maintained a positive attitude, which is difficult given the circumstances… I am incredibly proud of her success in the classroom, her involvement in advocating for herself and others on campus. and his growth as a leader in our program. She has been a great example of overcoming adversity and not letting circumstances affect success.

Coleman graduated from UTSA in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree with graduation expected in spring 2025.

Follow UTSA women’s basketball news at goutsa.com and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAWBBX (Twitter) @UTSAWBBand on Instagram @UTSA_WBB.

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