Vulin Announces Staff Promotions

Riverdale, NY - Manhattan women's basketball Head Coach Heather Vulin has announced the promotions of three of her current staff members. Allie Bassetti will move to the first assistant coach position and will take over coordination of the team's recruiting. Callan Taylor will become the staff's second assistant. And former Director of Women's Basketball Operations Rena Wakama has been named assistant coach. 

"I'm thrilled to announce the new staff changes for our coaching staff," said Vulin, who is entering her fourth season with the Jaspers. "All three have an elite work ethic, are loyal and have used their talent to elevate our program in the MAAC. I love the chemistry and commitment that we have on our staff and I feel it sets the right standard for our players. I wouldn't want to go into battle with anyone else."

Bassetti joined the Jaspers' staff in 2016, coming to Riverdale after three years as the director of basketball operations at American. During her time at Manhattan, she has focused on the development of the team's point guard-position players, including Gabby Cajou, the first player in program history to be selected as the MAAC's Sixth Player of the Year, and All-MAAC Third Team honoree Amani Tatum, who led the league in assists per game (4.4), steals per game (2.7), and three-point field goals per game (2.3) during the 2017-18 campaign.

"Allie has been with us from day one," noted Vulin. "Her investment in our program has been exceptional and she has made an impact both on and off the court. I'm excited for her to continue to capitalize on her recruiting connections and evaluation skills. As our recruiting coordinator, I trust that she will promote our brand, attract top talent, and elevate our exposure so we can continue to compete in the upper echelon of the MAAC."

Taylor also joined the staff in 2016, serving as the director of women's basketball operations for one year before being promoted to assistant coach in 2017. A former Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year at Sacred Heart, she spent four seasons playing professionally overseas. She finished as the school's all-time leading rebounder (1,123), and also ranks second on the Pioneers' career scoring list (1,822). As an assistant coach for the past two season, Taylor focused on perimeter player development and also served as the basketball program's alumni liaison and community service coordinator. She will now take over coaching responsibilities for the team's frontcourt. 

"Callan is such a valuable asset to our program with her ability to multi-task and crush any task given to her," Vulin said. "I have worked with Callan since she was a student-athlete, up to her now receiving her second promotion in three years. It has been a joy to be a part of her journey. I'm confident she will continue to improve our post players and make them into more of a dominant scoring presence."

Wakama has spent the past two seasons serving as the squad's director of women's basketball operations. Following her graduation from Western Carolina in 2015, Wakama played professional basketball, making stops in the United Kingdom and the FIBA African Basketball League. She was also a member of the Senior Nigerian National Team. Wakama served as an assistant coach for the Garner Flames AAU organization, and was a personal trainer and basketball skills coach for the Raleigh Personal Training Center in Raleigh, NC.

"Rena has been an exciting addition to our staff for the last two years," noted Vulin. "She has brought great energy and commitment, and has also been a great role model to our players. She has patiently waited for this opportunity to get on the court, and I think she will make an immediate impact coaching our wings. Plus, now that she will be able to recruit, I think she will be able to help us to continue to attract the top local talent in New York City."

Manhattan finished the 2018-19 season 9-9 in the MAAC, tying for fourth place in the league standings and earning a sixth-place seed in the MAAC Championship, where they reached the quarterfinals. Center Courtney Warley (West Chester, PA / Bishop Shanahan) was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the All-MAAC Third Team, while guard D'yona Davis (Bronx, NY / Truman) was a unanimous selection to the All-MAAC Rookie Team.