East Michigan News

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball program has added Kayla Jackson as an assistant coach, EMU Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh announced today, July 25. A former student-athlete under Nusseibeh, Jackson arrives in Ypsilanti ahead of the 2024-25 season after serving in several different capacities at other institutions.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Kayla Jackson to our Eastern women's basketball family," Nusseibeh said. "It was an honor and a privilege to coach Kayla as a student-athlete, and it remains an honor and privilege to work alongside her now. Kayla will bring constant passion and energy to the court and beyond. Most of all, Kayla is someone who operates with fierce loyalty and the utmost integrity. Eagle Nation will love our final piece to an already formidable staff of winners."

Jackson is set to join a coaching staff that also features previously introduced assistant coaches Shareese Ulis-McBrayer, Meg Cunningham, and Emily Hays.

"I am very excited to be part of the Eastern Michigan coaching staff," Jackson said. "To be back with the coach that had so much positive impact in my life as a player and be able to share that with our current players is exciting. I look forward to doing my part to help our student-athletes and this program achieve its goals now and in the future."

Entering her first season as an assistant coach, Jackson previously gained experience with stops at St. Bonaventure University and the University of Evansville. She began her post-collegiate days with the Purple Aces as a graduate assistant during the 2022-23 season before taking on the role of Director of Basketball Operations for the Bonnies last year.

As a student-athlete, Jackson spent five seasons as a player at the Division I level, starting her playing career at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) where she appeared in 26 games as a freshman but missed all of her sophomore campaign due to injury. Jackson went on to finish her playing career at Canisius University, spending two seasons with the Golden Griffins and playing under Nusseibeh. During her time in Buffalo, Jackson started 27-of-31 games, including all five in Canisius' pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.

As a senior in 2021-22, Jackson started 22-of-26 contests while leading the Griffs and ranking 11th in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in rebounding, pulling down 6.6 boards per game. She grabbed 172 total rebounds, including 10 or more in seven contests. Off the court, Jackson was selected to the 2022 MAAC All-Academic Team.

Jackson served as the women's basketball team captain as a senior while also serving as a member of the Canisius Leadership Academy and a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. She was named the Canisius College "Student-Athlete of the Month" in February 2021 for her dedication and leadership both on and off the court while maintaining high academic standing.

Prior to her collegiate career, Jackson was a standout at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, N.Y., helping the team win a sectional title during her career. She was named sectional MVP and team MVP surpassing the 1,000-point mark as a sophomore.

Fans are encouraged to keep their eyes on EMUEagles.com and @EMUWBB for all updates on EMU's program including future announcements about Nusseibeh's coaching staff additions roster updates ticket information.

The Kayla Jackson File

Name: Kayla Jackson

High School: Aquinas Institute - Rochester, N.Y.

College: Canisius University - B.S. in Psychology (2022)

Playing/Coaching Experience

Year – School - Position

2024-Pres.: Eastern Michigan University - Assistant Coach

2023-24: St. Bonaventure University - Director of Basketball Operations

2022-23: University of Evansville - Graduate Assistant

2020-22: Canisius University - Student-Athlete

2018-20: University of Maryland-Baltimore County - Student-Athlete