Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany women's basketball program has hired three new staff members for the 2012-13 season, as announced by head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson on Tuesday afternoon. Kelly Komara and Isoken Uzamere were named assistant coaches, while Brittany Hollingsworth will be the Director of Basketball Operations.

"We are very excited about the new energy and experience the staff brings to the women's basketball program and the athletic department," said Abrahamson-Henderson, who guided the Great Danes to a 23-10 record last season, en route to the program's first-ever America East Conference Championship title and NCAA Tournament berth. "They have all played and worked at a very high level, which will benefit our program greatly in many ways. Their extensive collegiate, professional and WNBA experience will only bring us greatness."

Komara joins the UAlbany women’s basketball team after stints with multiple Division I level athletic programs. Most recently, Komara was an assistant coach with Valparaiso University in 2011-12. She was head of player development for the guard position, serving as a mentor on the practice floor, in the film room and during game situations. She also was in charge of scouting opponents, team travel and recruiting coordination efforts. Prior to Valparaiso, Komara served as Auburn University’s video coordinator from 2007-2010 and was an assistant coach at Northwestern University for the 2006-2007 season. 

On the court, Komara played at Purdue University from 1999-2002. She was a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection and the NCAA Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player in 2001.  The 5-foot-7 guard appeared in all 35 games as a freshman for Purdue’s first national championship team.  As a team captain in 2001, Komara was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after setting Purdue’s single-season steals record. She currently sits third on the all-time list. In 2001, she was drafted in the third round by the Indiana Fever and played professionally for the Grand Rapids Blizzards in the National Women’s Basketball League.

Komara earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Purdue University in 2002. She went on to receive her master’s degree in higher education and sports management from Auburn University in 2006.

Uzamere offers both on- and off-court experience as a former collegiate athlete and high school coach. Uzamere played for Hofstra University from 2007-2011. A 6-foot-2 forward/center, she was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s All-Academic Team for three straight seasons and saw action in 23 games her senior year. As a team captain, she also helped to pioneer direct marketing campaigns that increased student support and fan attendance.

After graduating, Uzamere was employed by Game 7 Sports. She oversaw 15+ children, pre-k through high school, helping develop them into better athletes by building their physical development and mechanics. Uzamere also spent the 2011-12 season as head coach for the Long Knights AAU program.

A native of Brentwood, NY, she earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetorical studies from Hofstra in 2011.

Hollingsworth will be responsible for daily operations, including administrative duties, travel and logistics and assisting the needs of staff and players on and off the court.

Hollingsworth spent the 2011-12 season as the equipment manager for the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. She was responsible for assisting in management of team equipment and materials, practice preparation for both the Fever and visiting teams and distributing apparel to players and coaches.

She served as a student team manager at Indiana University from 2008-2011. Beyond her daily operational duties, Hollingsworth led and coordinated a three month basketball clinic that culminated with a fundraiser scrimmage generating funds for Wonderlab, a non-profit children’s museum

Hollingsworth received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana in 2011. She also minored in Spanish. She is a native of Fishers, IN.