Usha Gilmore Named New Women’s Basketball Coach

Usha Gilmore has been named the head women’s basketball coach for Illinois Institute of Technology. Gilmore has been assistant coach at the University of Illinois for the past two seasons, where she has had a role in recruiting, the development of the Illini post players, scouting and assisted with organizing the summer camp.

Before her time at U of I, Gilmore was responsible for post player instruction, overall player development, community service and team academic advising at Niagara University. She was also the recruiting coordinator for the Michigan, New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York City areas.

Prior to her stint at Niagara, Gilmore spent seven seasons as a collegiate assistant coach. In 2008-09, she was an assistant coach at Southern Polytechnic State University, an NAIA school outside of Atlanta, and prior to that she spent time at Davidson College, Longwood University, Southern Illinois University and Wagner College. Her primary duties have included coaching guards, recruiting, film exchange coordinator, working as the strength and conditioning coach and serving as an academic advisor.

Gilmore played college ball at Rutgers University under legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer. A four-year starter for the Scarlet Knights, Gilmore helped the program rise to national prominence by leading the team to an overall record of 88-41 and three NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Final Four in 2000. She was also a Big East Conference All-Rookie team selection in 1997. Gilmore received a B.S. in sociology with a minor in African-American studies from Rutgers in 2000.

In 2000, Gilmore was a third-round pick of the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. During her season with the Fever, she represented the organization at more than 25 speaking engagements within the community to promote health and education.

A native of Moncks Corner, S.C., Gilmore was the 1996 Miss South Carolina Basketball and the 1996 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year during her high school playing days, and recently was a 2012 inductee into the Berkeley High School Hall of Fame.