University of Memphis Athletics
Cox, Smith Set to Participate in WBCA's 'So You Want To Be A Coach' Program
Apr 02, 2025 | Women's Basketball
TAMPA, Fla. – Memphis seniors Layken Cox and Alasia Smith will participate in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association 22nd "So You Want To Be A Coach" program this Thursday and Friday, April 3-4, at the WBCA Convention in Tampa.
The duo are the first student-athletes at Memphis to be nominated for the workshop, which takes place ahead of the NCAA Women's Final Four. The program teaches skills necessary for coaches, introduces female basketball players to coaches and administrators and raises awareness of the talent pool of women's basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching.
"I'm extremely proud of Layken and Alasia for receiving this honor and taking the next step in life after graduation," said head coach Alex Simmons. "To watch them grow through the years as players and leaders is inspirational, and it is great to see their desire to be molded into the next generation of great coaches."
Cox played two seasons at Gardner-Webb under Simmons before spending the last two years in the Bluff City. She averaged 8.0 points and 4.6 rebounds on the historic GWU team that was crowned the Big South regular season and conference champions following an 18-0 mark in league play. She played her 100th career game on January 15 of this year against UTSA.
Smith also played the last two seasons at Memphis after spending three years at Gardner-Webb. She was named First Team All-Conference and the Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, and she received Second Team All-Conference and All-Defensive honors in her final year as a Tiger. She ended her illustrious career ranked 33rd all-time in career steals (405) and 46th all-time in career rebounds (1,336). Smith graduated from Memphis in December 2024.
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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