Bolivar, Mo. - SBU Women's Basketball head coach Wyketha Harrell proudly welcomes Jomyra Mathis to her coaching staff as the new graduate assistant. Mathis, a New Orleans native, who recently concluded her professional playing career, returns to the hardwood in a new role for the Bearcats. 

In college, Mathis attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she played for four years and had 93 career games played in the Sun Belt, including 47 starts. Mathis' contributions to the team were evident as she led the team with 57 assists and 31 steals, which played a key role in the Ragin' Cajuns' run to the Sun Belt Championships and WNIT Tournament in 2020-21. Following her four years at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she then transferred to the University of New Orleans where she played in 20 games, including 18 starts. Her outstanding performance earned her accolades such as Third Team All-Southland and All-Louisiana Honorable Mention.  

After playing for the University of New Orleans, Mathis decided to continue her basketball career at the professional level as she took her talents overseas to FK Partizani in the Liga Unike in Albania. At FK Partizani, Mathis continued to demonstrate her all-around abilities, averaging 12 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. She also had four double-doubles, setting career highs in assists (11) and steals (10). Mathis was also able to continue playing a key role for her team as she helped FK Partizani win the Liga Unike Championship by scoring a game high 22 points in the championship game. 

"Jomyra is a special individual with a natural ability to play and teach the game of basketball." Coach Harrell said, "From years ago, recruiting her, I immediately knew the impact she could have within a program as a player because she understood the game like a coach, but in her own way.  During summer camp I gave her an assignment with little instruction, and I saw her next level of impact elevate, I said to myself, "Jo is a Coach!" I'm so excited she chose to take this leap with me, and I look forward to watching her blossom in this position of leadership." 
 
As the SBU Women's Basketball team embarks on this exciting new chapter, the New Orleans native will assist with a number of internal operations and coaching responsibilities while completing her MBA degree. Coach Harrell adds, "Mathis was a standout guard at both the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of New Orleans, she will have no trouble leading our guard play here at SBU."  We look forward to Jomyra's contributions both on and off the court.