The Fourth Estate

UW-Green Bay's award-winning student news publication

From Court to Clipboard: Jasmine Kondrakiewicz Returns to UW-Green Bay as a Rising Young Coach

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After five seasons with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team, former forward Jasmine Kondrakiewicz has come full circle. She’s taken on a new role as an assistant coach and director of player development, guiding the same program where she built her legacy.

During her time as a Phoenix, Kondrakiewicz became known for her steady play and defensive strength. Over five seasons, she appeared in a program-record 151 games and scored more than 1,000 points while collecting over 700 rebounds. She also ranked among the top five in school history for blocked shots. Her reliability made her one of the anchors of Green Bay’s success in the Horizon League and a respected voice in the locker room.

Kondrakiewicz’s transition from player to coach feels like a continuation rather than a departure. Throughout her playing career, she had already been coaching high school AAU teams through connections she made as early as a freshman. Before her final season, she had begun preparing for a career in coaching. She took part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “So You Want to Be a Coach” program, a national initiative that helps female student-athletes learn the fundamentals of leadership and team management. Her new position with Green Bay officially began in June 2025. As assistant coach and director of player development, she now helps oversee training, scouting, and player growth. Her familiarity with the program gives her instant credibility and good chemistry among current players, as well as an understanding of Phoenix basketball.

For Kondrakiewicz, returning to the sidelines is about more than basketball. Kondrakiewicz said, “Coming out of college, this was my dream job.” She views coaching as a way to continue the mentorship and teamwork that shaped her own college experience, saying that she’s glad to stick around to impact the same community in a different role. Working alongside head coach Kayla Karius and the rest of the staff, she now helps young athletes navigate both the demands of competition and the responsibilities of college life. Her role includes on-court instruction, game preparation, and supporting athletes’ academic and personal development.

The shift from teammate to coach also provides a bridge between the program’s past and its future. Many of the current players remember her leadership as a senior, and her presence on the bench offers a sense of continuity within the team’s culture. She speaks to the rapport she’s built with the teammates whom she’s played alongside and how she uses that to approach her coaching style as well, whether it’s positive reinforcement or a swift reminder to get back on track.

By remaining within the Green Bay community, she sets an example for young athletes who hope to turn their passion into a career. Her story underscores the value of programs that prepare student-athletes for leadership beyond the court and shows how lessons learned in competition can translate into mentoring, teaching, and personal growth. As the Phoenix prepares for a new season, Kondrakiewicz brings fresh energy and familiarity to the sidelines. She understands the culture, the expectations, and the dedication it takes to succeed at Green Bay. Her path from star forward to assistant coach reflects not only her personal growth but also the evolving landscape of college athletics, where student-athletes can return to help shape the programs that helped define them.