Assistant women's coach selected for international team

UNC women’s basketball assistant coach Ryan Johnson was selected earlier this week to be an assistant coach of a United States all-star team with the United States Basketball Academy later this month.

The team will play nine games in 14 days in China from April 25 through May 9 and will face the Junior National Teams from China, Australia and New Zealand. Former Colorado State and Santa Clara head coach Chris Denker will be the team’s head coach.

“I’m honored to be invited and have the opportunity to coach with Chris Denker,” Johnson told the University of Northern Colorado athletics website. “I am also looking forward to working with a great group of athletes and be able to experience coaching at an international level. I feel this a great opportunity for Northern Colorado as well.”

Johnson just completed his sixth season as an assistant on head coach Jaime White’s staff at UNC.

“This is a great recognition for both Ryan and the University,” White said. “There aren’t a lot of international opportunities and this is going to be something he never forgets.”

Ryan won’t be the only member of the Big Sky Conference to be a part of the team, though. Guard Katie Bussey, who attended Montana State University, will be on the team.

Other players include ReZina TecleMariam from the University of Portland, Talisa Rhea from the University of Seattle, Casey Garrison from Missouri State, Rebekah Gardner from UCLA, Jasmin Hollidy from the University of Oregon, Jalana Childs from Kansas State, Rachael Hackbarth from Drake and Kali Bennett from Arizona State.