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PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Jerise Freeman, former University of Utah assistant coach, will be joining the University of Oregon as the new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for their women’s basketball team. On Wednesday, June 26, University of Oregon announced in a press release that the Ducks head coach, Kelly Graves, had hired Freeman.

Freeman is no stranger to success. In the three seasons she spent with the Utah Utes, Freeman helped lead their team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2023.

Prior to her work with the Utes, Freeman spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Oklahoma State University, where she also led the Cowgirls to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. Her coaching resume also consists of time spent at Eastern Washington University, Newman University and Butler Community College.

In her coaching career, Freeman has produced three players who were drafted into the WNBA and five All-Americans.

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Freeman ended her collegiate career in 2007 at Pacific University in Stockton, California, where she averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds a game in her senior season.

“We are so excited to add someone of Jerise’s caliber to our staff,” Graves said in the release from UO. “Her energy is contagious and her recruiting and coaching resume speaks for itself, as she has experienced tremendous success at two different Power 5 programs. She is a great fit for our team and community and we cannot wait to get to work.”

Freeman is joining a program that is coming off of a season with an overall record of 11-21. This upcoming season will also be the Ducks debut as members of the Big 10 Conference.

“I am thrilled to embark on this new journey with Oregon women’s basketball,” Freeman said in the release. “I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to learn from and work with Coach Graves and his amazing staff. Joining the vibrant Eugene community fills me with absolute joy, and I cannot wait to contribute to the program’s success.”