The winningest coach in Rhodes women's basketball will be replaced by one of his best players. All-American Lauren Avant Sumski returned to Rhodes to become the Lynx's next head coach following Matt Dean's retirement.
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College Athletic Director Jeff Cleanthes announced the hiring.
""When we discovered Lauren had a passion to continue in the coaching world, we knew she would be an amazing asset for our department and to lead our women's basketball team in the future," said Cleanthes in a release. "We are so excited to be able to bring back one of our own Rhodes Lynx to lead a talented group of young women on and off the basketball court. This is a great day for Rhodes College and the city of Memphis!"
Sumski was a high school All-American Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis where she was the varsity team captain starting in the eighth grade. She began her playing career at the University of Tennessee under Pat Summitt. After battling injuries, Sumski transferred to Rhodes for her final three seasons.
In her final two seasons she led the Lynx to two SAA championships and the second round of the NCAA Tournament twice. Sumski was a first team All-American in 2014 when she averaged 25.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She was also an All-American in her junior season.
After earning her Bachelor's degree in biology from Rhodes in 2014, she was an assistant coach at Division II Union in Jackson Tennessee.
She replaces her former coach Matt Dean who retired in February with a career record of 230-164 over 15 seasons. Dean will remain at the College as an assistant athletic director.
Rhodes finished 5-21, 4-10 in the SAA last season.