DeNesha Stallworth was hired as an Assistant Coach in April 2023, she joins the Gaucho staff after serving as the Coaches Video Coordinator for the past two seasons at the University of Kentucky.
Stallworth, a native of Richmond, California, had a successful college and professional career. Collegiately, Stallworth played 65 games for Kentucky and was known as one of the best post players in the SEC after transferring from California following her sophomore season. The post finished her collegiate career with 1,740 points and 871 rebounds. At the time of her graduation, she ranked ninth on Kentucky’s all-time double-doubles list with 15 and was part of a senior class that finished with a 109-31 record, which ranked second most in program history.
In her final season with Kentucky, Stallworth was a candidate for SEC Player of the Year and on every national watch list for the nation’s best player. As a senior, she was named to the WBCA All-Region 3 Team, SEC All-Tournament Team, All-SEC Second Team by league coaches, and All-SEC honorable mention by the Associated Press. Stallworth led the team in field goal percentage (.524), field goals made (151) and steals (44) as a senior, while ranking second in scoring (12.5), rebounding (6.9), and blocked shots (35). As a junior at Kentucky, Stallworth was named All-SEC First Team by the league coaches and All-SEC Second Team by the AP, helping lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight.
After being selected 25th overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, Stallworth began her professional career overseas in Spain playing for Stadium Casablanca and Universitario de Ferrol. In the last five years, she has made stops in Australia playing for SEQ Basketball and Canberra Capitals and played for three teams in Poland for TS Wisla Krakow, Artego Bydgiozcz, and CCC Polkowice. Stallworth also competed in Russia for Sparta&K MR.
"I am excited to announce that DeNesha Stallworth will be joining our program as an Assistant Coach," said Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson. "Bringing DeNesha back home to California where she is highly respected will positively impact our recruiting efforts in our west coast footprint. Playing the post position at Cal and Kentucky and then playing professionally overseas, DeNesha has had amazing experiences that she can share and use to teach our post players. I have been impressed with DeNesha's ability to connect and mentor young women. "
Stallworth graduated from Kentucky in December 2013 with a degree in family sciences and a minor in African-American studies. She was a two-time SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll member and on the Dean’s list.
