Latest news with #ShawneeState
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SSU's Gloster signs with Germany's VIMODROM Baskets Jena
PORTSMOUTH —Shawnee State graduate Cianna Gloster, who was an All-River States Conference selection in both seasons she played with the SSU women's basketball program, has signed a professional contract to play women's basketball for Germany's USV Vimodrom Baskets Jena —the organization announced on Monday. Gloster was a First-Team all-RSC selection during the 2024-25 season, and led Shawnee State back to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2021. Advertisement Gloster, who is arguably the best rebounding forward in the history of the Shawnee State women's basketball program, was a force as the Bears went 48-15 during her time in the lineup. Gloster averaged 13.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.2 blocks over the course of her time at Shawnee State. She shot 56.1-percent from the field during her Shawnee State career and scored 1,029 career collegiate points — 849 of those coming at Shawnee State in two seasons, after transferring from Rochester Christian (Mich.). The six-foot forward from Flint, Mich. was named as a First-Team all-RSC selection after averaging 15.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and three steals while shooting 55.4-percent from the field. Advertisement Gloster spearheaded the RSC's top defensive unit, as the Bears ultimately won as many as 20 consecutive games to run the RSC table during the regular season —while advancing to the 2025 RSC Championship Game. Gloster then led Shawnee State to an NAIA Opening Round victory over Loyola (La.) 70-62, before dropping a scant 71-66 decision to No. 5-ranked Cumberlands (Ky.) in the NAIA Second Round. She finished her career as not only a First-Team all-RSC honoree, but a 2025 CSC-NAIA Academic All-District selection —who played in and started each of Shawnee State's 63 games. In 43 of those 63 contests, Gloster posted a double-double. Advertisement USV Vimodrom Baskets Jena, which plays in the German Regionalliga League, went 14-0 last season in the league's SouthEast-North Division —winning the division by five games. Players which have suited up for USV Vimodrom Baskets Jena include Celeste Mershmister, who played at Rochester Christian and was a former college teammate of Gloster's, and 6-5 center Marta Miscenko, who was a First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference talent at NCAA Division II Wingate (N.C.). For more on the Shawnee State women's basketball program, please visit or
Miami Herald
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU coach becomes D1 assistant
An HBCU coaching standout is making the leap to Division I. Delano Thomas, who recently led Florida Memorial University to national success, has joined the men's basketball staff at High Point University for the 2025-26 season. Thomas arrives at High Point after a two-year stint at Florida Memorial, an HBCU in the NAIA ranks. From 2023 to 2025, he compiled a 47-15 overall record and guided the team to a 2024 Sun Conference Tournament championship and national tournament berth. His success at FMU built upon a remarkable coaching journey that began at his alma mater, Shawnee State. At Shawnee State, Thomas engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in small-college basketball history. After taking over in 2017, he led the Bears to a 31-2 record in the 2020-21 season, culminating in the program's first-ever NAIA national championship. The Bears captured the Mid-South regular season and tournament titles during that run, with Thomas earning national honors including NAIA Coach of the Year and the Don Meyer Coach of the Year Award. In total, Thomas has coached multiple All-Americans and sent nine players into the professional ranks, including one currently in the NBA G-League. His reputation for player development and program-building has been firmly established in the HBCU and NAIA coaching communities. Thomas also brings international experience to the Division I ranks. After starring at Shawnee State from 2002 to 2004-where he remains the school's all-time leader in blocks and rebounds per game-he played professionally for nine years in six countries. His coaching career also includes successful stints in Norway and Uruguay at various youth and high school levels. A native of Columbus, Ohio, and a 2017 Shawnee State Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas now begins a new chapter in High Point with his wife and two children, continuing a basketball journey rooted in HBCU excellence and international experience. The post HBCU coach becomes D1 assistant appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
