Kokoski announces coaching staff
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Head coach Lynne-Ann Kokoski is excited to announce the hiring of Cristina Centeno, Michelle Spreda, and Sarah Assante to the coaching staff.
"I am thrilled to announce the hiring of our women's basketball staff," Kokoski said. "I not only found great basketball coaches but even better people. These three value player-coach relationships, and that's exactly what will be a staple in our program as well as individual player development. All three individuals believe in my vision for Bryant University women's basketball, and I'm excited to see them mentor and help bring this program to new heights."
Coach Centeno comes from West Point, where she was the Assistant coach from 2021-2023. As an assistant, the Knights made two consecutive Patriot League tournament appearances and, in 2023, helped the team reach the semifinals for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. She signed and coached Reese Erickson, who was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-tournament team. Before her time at Army, Centeno spent four seasons at Appalachian State (2017-2021) as an Assistant coach. She led the Mountaineers to four consecutive Sun Belt tournament appearances, including two semi-finals.
She began her coaching career at Le Moyne in 2013, helping the Dolphins make four NE-10 tournament appearances. Centeno coached a Rookie of the Year, an All-Conference Third-Team selection, and an All-Rookie player. Centeno played at Siena College from 2008-2012, where she was named team captain her senior year and made the Third-Team All-MAAC and All-Academic team two years in a row. She also played overseas for the Puerto Rican Junior National Team, National Team, and the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino Pro League. She was the fourth pick in the draft and named the Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Coach Spreda has been a coach in Rhode Island for the last seven years. She spent two years as the Assistant coach at Johnson & Wales, where she helped the team to a 34-19 record while coaching two All-Conference selections. From 2018-2023, Spreda served as the Assistant coach at Roger Williams. As a member of the staff, the Hawks accumulated an 80-30 record where they made two NCAA appearances and won two conference championships. She coached 10 all-conference selections, a CCC Defensive Player of the Year, a CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete, three NEWBA All-Region selections, and two D3Hoops all-region members. She is also the Co-Founder & Co-Director of a Rhode Island Club AAU organization.
Coach Assante brings seven years of experience to the Bulldogs coaching staff. She was recently an Assistant coach at Dartmouth College from 2021-2023, responsible for video breakdown, scouting reports, academics, and defensive strategy. Before her time with the Big Green, coach Assante was an Assistant at Washington and Lee University, where she was the Recruitment and Player Development Director. From 2017-2019 Coach Assante was the Assistant Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Regis College. She began her coaching career at Southern Maine Community College in 2016. Before her coaching career, Assante played at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, where she was named team captain from 2013-2015 and received the Neile Nelson Leadership Award.