Women's Basketball
Owsley, Wanika
Wanika Owsley
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- wo3kf@umkc.edu
Wanika Owsley enters her second year as an Associate Head Coach in 2025-26. Owsley and Head Coach Dionnah Jackson-Durrett have made many stops in the same places: Owsley played at Southeast Missouri State from 2003-06, Jackson-Durrett coached there from 2010-13. The pair both held a coaching roles at Mississippi State, Owsley from 2010-12, Jackson-Durrett from 2015-20.
The 2024-25 season saw Kansas City post six conference victories and earn the sixth seed in the Summit League Championship, both of which were the best of the Jackson-Durrett era. Kansas City opened the championships with an upset victory over third-seeded North Dakota State, the Roos' third postseason win as a lower seeded team under Jackson-Durrett. Alayna Contreras was named to the All-Summit League Second Team and Ana Oliveira Dias was named to the All-Newcomer squad.
"I have decided to work at Kansas City because of the good people and shared vision that I encountered during the interview process," Owsley said. "The dedication and expertise demonstrated by staff, coupled with the university's commitment to excellence in education align closely with my own values."
Owsley joins Kansas City's staff after spending last season as the Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Morgan State University. She helped aid the Bears as they claimed an .500-or-better record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play for the fifth-straight year.
That marked her third time at Morgan State - the first came as an assistant coach for the women's team in 2009-10, the second as an assistant/associate head coach for the women's team from 2012-21.
During the 2021-22 season, Owsley was an Associate Head Coach at Detroit Mercy. Prior to that, she made the longest stop of her career thus far, a nine-year stint at Morgan State.
With Morgan State, Owsley was responsible for recruiting, managing the budget, scouting, on-court instruction, player development and game and practice preparation, among many other duties.
Owsley helped the Bears to a 12-4 mark in the shortened 2020-21 season, including an 8-2 record in MEAC play. She was part of a staff that helped Morgan State to double-digit wins in six-of-seven seasons, including winning campaigns in three-of-four. Morgan State earned tournament wins and reached the MEAC semifinals in two-straight years, their first tournament semifinals appearances since 2006-07.
Owsley also spent two seasons on the women's basketball staff at Mississippi State from 2010-12, helping sign two top-50 recruiting classes during her time at MSU, including six ESPN Top-100 student-athlete recruits. She assisted in coaching the Bulldogs to 28 victories across those two seasons.
She began her coaching career at Jefferson (Mo.) Community College from 2006-09, helping coach the program to a national title game and runner-up finish at the 2008 NJCAA Tournament, as well as a third-place finish in the national tournament in 2007.
While at Jefferson, Owsley was part of a staff that coached the program to a 97-9 record across three seasons and winning three MCCAC Championships (regular season and tournament). She also coached and recruited the 2008-09 National Junior College Player of the Year in Danielle Adams and coached four All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans, as well as two NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.
Owsley played collegiately at both Southeastern Illinois (Junior) College and Southeast Missouri State. While with Southeastern Illinois, she helped lead her team to its first Region 24 championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
She concluded her career at Southeast Missouri State, where she helped the Redhawks to a 46-16 overall record and their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance during her senior season. She was the captain and led both teams in assists.
Owsley earned general studies degree from Southeast Missouri State University.
The 2024-25 season saw Kansas City post six conference victories and earn the sixth seed in the Summit League Championship, both of which were the best of the Jackson-Durrett era. Kansas City opened the championships with an upset victory over third-seeded North Dakota State, the Roos' third postseason win as a lower seeded team under Jackson-Durrett. Alayna Contreras was named to the All-Summit League Second Team and Ana Oliveira Dias was named to the All-Newcomer squad.
"I have decided to work at Kansas City because of the good people and shared vision that I encountered during the interview process," Owsley said. "The dedication and expertise demonstrated by staff, coupled with the university's commitment to excellence in education align closely with my own values."
Owsley joins Kansas City's staff after spending last season as the Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Morgan State University. She helped aid the Bears as they claimed an .500-or-better record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play for the fifth-straight year.
That marked her third time at Morgan State - the first came as an assistant coach for the women's team in 2009-10, the second as an assistant/associate head coach for the women's team from 2012-21.
During the 2021-22 season, Owsley was an Associate Head Coach at Detroit Mercy. Prior to that, she made the longest stop of her career thus far, a nine-year stint at Morgan State.
With Morgan State, Owsley was responsible for recruiting, managing the budget, scouting, on-court instruction, player development and game and practice preparation, among many other duties.
Owsley helped the Bears to a 12-4 mark in the shortened 2020-21 season, including an 8-2 record in MEAC play. She was part of a staff that helped Morgan State to double-digit wins in six-of-seven seasons, including winning campaigns in three-of-four. Morgan State earned tournament wins and reached the MEAC semifinals in two-straight years, their first tournament semifinals appearances since 2006-07.
Owsley also spent two seasons on the women's basketball staff at Mississippi State from 2010-12, helping sign two top-50 recruiting classes during her time at MSU, including six ESPN Top-100 student-athlete recruits. She assisted in coaching the Bulldogs to 28 victories across those two seasons.
She began her coaching career at Jefferson (Mo.) Community College from 2006-09, helping coach the program to a national title game and runner-up finish at the 2008 NJCAA Tournament, as well as a third-place finish in the national tournament in 2007.
While at Jefferson, Owsley was part of a staff that coached the program to a 97-9 record across three seasons and winning three MCCAC Championships (regular season and tournament). She also coached and recruited the 2008-09 National Junior College Player of the Year in Danielle Adams and coached four All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans, as well as two NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.
Owsley played collegiately at both Southeastern Illinois (Junior) College and Southeast Missouri State. While with Southeastern Illinois, she helped lead her team to its first Region 24 championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
She concluded her career at Southeast Missouri State, where she helped the Redhawks to a 46-16 overall record and their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance during her senior season. She was the captain and led both teams in assists.
Owsley earned general studies degree from Southeast Missouri State University.
ROOS UNITED: Student-Athlete Testimonial
Tuesday, September 16
WBB Highlights: Summit League Semifinals
Saturday, March 08
WBB Highlights: Summit League Quarterfinals
Friday, March 07
WBB Highlights at UND
Saturday, March 01
