Former women’s player Keani Albanez becomes assistant coach for SBCC men’s basketball

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Keani Albanez has been playing basketball with and against males for most of her life in youth leagues and in pick-up games.

Now she is excited to get to coach men's players as she accepted an assistant coaching job for the Santa Barbara City College men's basketball team.

She joins the staff of new head coach Devin Engebretsen.

Albanez is the second female coach for men's basketball in the Western State Conference. Lily Mozafari was an assistant coach for West Los Angeles men's basketball in the 2019-'20 season.

Albanez is no stranger to coaching as she has been coaching youth basketball for many years and has her own academy.

She was a high school basketball star at Buena High School in Ventura and then helped Gonzaga University to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances including two trips to the Sweet 16.

Albanez just retired from pro basketball as she played overseas for nearly five seasons.

Now Albanez hopes to inspire young girls by coaching in the men's game.