Former Florida State captain and Northeastern assistant coach
Ganiyat Adeduntan has been named head women's basketball coach at
Wheelock, it was announced by athletic director Diana Cutaia.
She replaces Brooke Freeburg, who coached four seasons and compiled a record of 16-81 (.165).
"We're very excited to have Ganiyat join the Wildcat family," said Cutaia. "She brings a varied basketball background and tremendous experience to Wheelock. We really feel that she can take our program to a new level, while also maintaining the high academic performance and strong commitment to community service that our department has been known for."
Adeduntan becomes the 10th head women's basketball coach in school history since the program began in 1995, and the fifth in the past nine seasons.
"I am truly honored that athletic director Diana Cutaia, has given me the opportunity to lead the Wheelock women's basketball team," said Adeduntan. "With the vision of the college and the athletic department, I believe that this program is poised to reach new heights; and I am excited to be a part of it!"
A native of Athens, Ga., Adeduntan has been honing her coaching skills over the past six years since graduating from Florida State in 2006. She began her coaching career as an Assistant Coach for the Florida State University School (Florida High) varsity program in Tallahassee, FL, where she helped guide the Seminoles to the Class 3A State Championship in 2007. After just two seasons, she was named the head varsity coach for North Florida Christian School, where she continued her winning ways, leading the Eagles to the 2009 District crown. During her time in Florida, Adeduntan was fortunate to foster what she is most passionate about – teaching the game of basketball – while serving as an instructor for the Essence Girls Basketball squad at the AAU level. When not on the sidelines coaching, Adeduntan stayed true to her love of academics and improving the lives of others, earning a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Florida State.
Adeduntan made the jump to the college coaching ranks with a two-year stint at Northeastern, where she was an integral part of the Huskies' game preparation. In addition to her duties at Northeastern, she also became a presence in the community as a basketball instructor at various clinics and camps, including the Skills and Drills Clinic in Randolph, Mass. While at NU, she furthered her education, receiving a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2011.
Prior to her coaching career, Adeduntan enjoyed a stellar playing career both at the prep and collegiate level. She was one of the top players in the nation coming out of high school and was a McDonald's All-American finalist as well as the Georgia Gatorade and Northeast Georgia Player of the Year. She burst onto the scene at Florida State earning a spot on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman team as an honorable mention and went on to garner ACC All-Conference honorable mention accolades following her junior campaign. She was also named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team. A Captain for the Seminoles in her final season, she finished her career as just one of 19 players in school history to score more than 1,000 career points. She was also a standout in the classroom, being named to the ACC Academic Team all four years she attended FSU and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
The former small forward is currently a Nurse practitioner and a Registered Nurse in Boston and resides in Jamaica Plain, Mass.