Penn State women’s basketball head coach Tanisha Wright announced on Apr. 1 the addition of Kelly Mazzante, the program’s all-time leading scorer, as an assistant coach.
Mazzante and Wright previously played together for three seasons with the Lady Lions from 2001 to 2004. Mazzante returns to Penn State with twelve years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently serving a three-year stint at Georgetown University.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kelly back home to Happy Valley with me,” Wright said. “Having one of the best players in Penn State history to coach alongside me is crucial in what we are building. Her knowledge of not just the game of basketball, but Lady Lion basketball will be essential as we bring this program back to where it belongs. Kelly was one of the most competitive teammates and athletes I have had the honor to play with, and I can’t wait to join forces back at a place that holds special meaning to both of us.”
Mazzante is recognized as one of Penn State’s top players, holding records including all-time scoring leader with 2,919 career points—fourth in Big Ten Conference history—and third-most games played by a Lady Lion at 133 appearances. She also leads several statistical categories such as career scoring average (21.9), career field goals (1,051), single-season field goals (716 in 2001-02), single-game points (49), and single-game three-point field goals (9). In addition, she has earned numerous honors: two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, four first-team All-Big Ten selections—the first player ever so recognized—and was named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year in 2004.
Her collegiate achievements include being a three-time Naismith Award Finalist and earning Academic All-American honors multiple times. She led her team to two consecutive Big Ten regular season titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances—including reaching both Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds.
After college, Mazzante was drafted eighteenth overall by Charlotte Sting in the WNBA Draft before joining Phoenix Mercury where she won two championships. Her professional playing career included time overseas in Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, and Italy.
Mazzante began her coaching journey at Indiana University of Pennsylvania before moving on to Bucknell University and then Georgetown University where she advanced from assistant coach up through associate head coach roles over several seasons. She will be joined at Penn State by her wife Alicia and daughter Mila.
