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Rutgers turns to LSU assistant Gary Redus II to revive its struggling women’s basketball program

By The Associated Press

Rutgers hired Gary Redus II as its women’s basketball coach on Monday to replace Coquese Washington.

Redus has worked on Kim Mulkey’s staff at LSU since the 2022-23 season, which ended with the Tigers winning a national championship. Before LSU, the 36-year-old Redus spent time at SMU, Vanderbilt and Division II Delta State as an assistant. This will be his first head coaching position.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to be the next women’s basketball coach at Rutgers University,” Redus said. “I am no stranger to the rich history of basketball here at Rutgers and I look forward to building on that legacy as we move the program forward.”

He has been a chief recruiter for LSU, helping bring in two of the top classes in college basketball over the past three seasons.

Rutgers fired Washington a week ago after four seasons and a 42-84 record. The Scarlet Knights were 1-17 in Big Ten play this past season — its worst mark ever in the conference.

The Scarlet Knights used to be one of the top programs in women’s basketball under Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer, going to two Final Fours and winning four Big East championships. Stringer retired in 2022. In her time at the school the program made 17 NCAA appearances.

Rutgers president William Tate and new athletic director Kelli Zinn both previously worked at LSU.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gary and his family to Rutgers,” Zinn said. “Having worked with him previously, I’ve seen firsthand the energy, commitment, and competitive mindset he brings to coaching. Coach Redus is well known as one of the top recruiters in the country, with an exceptional ability to create relationships and attract elite talent. He is an outstanding teacher of the game with a reputation for developing student-athletes to reach their fullest potential.”

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Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
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