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Women's Basketball
Sanders, Brianna
Brianna Sanders
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- sandersb12@xavier.edu
- Phone:
- 513.745.3709
Brianna Sanders was hired as an assistant coach for women's basketball in April of 2023 and was promoted to assistant coach/recruiting coordinator in July of 2025. She joined the Musketeers after spending the 2022-23 season at Iona.
Sanders helped coach Meri Kanerva to 2025 All-BIG EAST Freshman Team honors. Xavier ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in field-goal percentage defense (.412) during the 2024-25 season. The Musketeers also ranked third in the BIG EAST and 106th in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game (20.1).
Xavier made 187 three pointers in 2024-25, ranking tied for 10th in single-season school history. The last time Xavier made 187 or more three pointers in a season was in 2013-14 (204 made three pointers). Additional 2024-25 highlights can be found HERE.
Sanders helped coach Aizhanique Mayo to 2024 All-BIG EAST Freshman Team honors and saw Nila Blackford eclipse the 1,000-career rebound mark. The Musketeers also finished the 2023-24 season with 595 three-pointers attempted, ranking seventh in school history. Xavier finished the year ranked sixth in the BIG EAST in three-pointers made per game (6.1).
In 2022-23, Sanders helped the Gaels post a 26-7 (18-2 MAAC) record and capture both the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular-Season and Tournament Championships. Iona also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
Sanders helped coach three All-MAAC honorees in 2022-23 – including the MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of Year in Juana Camilion.
Prior to her time at Iona, she spent five seasons at Akron (2017-22). She helped the Zips capture 64 wins during her time on the bench and helped coach eight players to Mid-American All-Conference honors, highlighted by Jordyn Dawson who was named the MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22.
She served as the director of basketball operations at Chattanooga from 2014-17. The Mocs posted a 74-23 (38-4 SoCon) record with her on staff and advanced to three NCAA Tournaments.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native played collegiately at Ohio State for two seasons (2009-11) before serving as a student assistant coach from 2011-14 due to a career-ending injury. She helped the Buckeyes capture three Big Ten Championships during her time in Columbus.
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Alma mater: Ohio State, '14
Iona - Assistant Coach - 2022-23
Akron - Assistant Coach - 2017-22
Chattanooga - Director of Basketball Operations - 2014-17
Sanders helped coach Meri Kanerva to 2025 All-BIG EAST Freshman Team honors. Xavier ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in field-goal percentage defense (.412) during the 2024-25 season. The Musketeers also ranked third in the BIG EAST and 106th in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game (20.1).
Xavier made 187 three pointers in 2024-25, ranking tied for 10th in single-season school history. The last time Xavier made 187 or more three pointers in a season was in 2013-14 (204 made three pointers). Additional 2024-25 highlights can be found HERE.
Sanders helped coach Aizhanique Mayo to 2024 All-BIG EAST Freshman Team honors and saw Nila Blackford eclipse the 1,000-career rebound mark. The Musketeers also finished the 2023-24 season with 595 three-pointers attempted, ranking seventh in school history. Xavier finished the year ranked sixth in the BIG EAST in three-pointers made per game (6.1).
In 2022-23, Sanders helped the Gaels post a 26-7 (18-2 MAAC) record and capture both the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular-Season and Tournament Championships. Iona also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
Sanders helped coach three All-MAAC honorees in 2022-23 – including the MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of Year in Juana Camilion.
Prior to her time at Iona, she spent five seasons at Akron (2017-22). She helped the Zips capture 64 wins during her time on the bench and helped coach eight players to Mid-American All-Conference honors, highlighted by Jordyn Dawson who was named the MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22.
She served as the director of basketball operations at Chattanooga from 2014-17. The Mocs posted a 74-23 (38-4 SoCon) record with her on staff and advanced to three NCAA Tournaments.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native played collegiately at Ohio State for two seasons (2009-11) before serving as a student assistant coach from 2011-14 due to a career-ending injury. She helped the Buckeyes capture three Big Ten Championships during her time in Columbus.
PERSONAL
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Alma mater: Ohio State, '14
COACHING TIMELINE
Iona - Assistant Coach - 2022-23
Akron - Assistant Coach - 2017-22
Chattanooga - Director of Basketball Operations - 2014-17
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Audia Young
Thursday, September 04
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Mya Moore
Wednesday, August 27
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Savannah White
Friday, August 15
2025-26 Meet the Musketeers: Mariyah Noel
Friday, August 08
