University of Tennessee Athletics
Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
- Year As Assistant:
- 1st
- Year At Tennessee:
- Tennessee (2008)
- Email:
- nanosike@vols.utk.edu
Former Lady Vol standout Nicky Anosike rejoined the Tennessee women’s basketball program on Aug. 22, 2018, and is serving as a graduate assistant for Head Coach Holly Warlick and her staff. Anosike is the beneficiary of the Steve & Kaye Maynard Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant Scholarship Fund.
Anosike, a four-year starter at UT from 2004-08, had been teaching at Azalea Middle School in St. Petersburg, Fla., prior to returning to her alma mater. She taught sixth grade world history and eighth grade U.S. history there.
In her new role with the Big Orange, Anosike will assist with administrative duties, recruiting details and operations while observing all facets of the program.
During her career at Rocky Top, she helped lead the Lady Vols to NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008, earning NCAA All-Final Four Team accolades on both occasions. She also aided the Big Orange in claiming three SEC Tournament titles and one regular season crown, garnering SEC All-Freshman status in 2005.
Starting 133 of 146 games as a Lady Vol, Anosike averaged 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during her career. She posted career highs of 8.8 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior as well as notching her best numbers for assists (81) and steals (65).
Anosike was known as a powerful player with a strong presence on the court as well as in the locker room. Her vocal leadership was instrumental in UT’s 2007 and 2008 NCAA title victories, as she didn’t shy away from holding teammates accountable for their efforts in practice and games.
Also a fantastic student, Anosike was named a CoSIDA Second-Team All-American in 2008 and earned SEC Academic Honor Roll acclaim all four years. As a senior, she was named to the SEC Community Service Team and was a finalist for the SEC’s Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award, capping a well-rounded résumé that helped her earn distinction as the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year.
After her college career, Anosike was drafted by the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in the second round with the 16th overall pick. The 6-foot-4 center was named to the 2008 WNBA All-Rookie Team and selected as a 2009 WNBA All-Star. She played from 2008-10 with the Lynx, in 2011 with the Washington Mystics and in 2012 with the Los Angeles Sparks before retiring.
Anosike graduated from UT in May 2008 with degrees in criminal justice, political science and legal studies. She is pursuing a master’s in sport management with aspirations of a coaching career.
