SAN ANTONIO — On Friday, Elyssa Coleman announced her medical retirement from basketball after a trio of stellar seasons with UTSA.
Following complications from multiple ACL reconstruction surgeries, Coleman made the difficult decision to retire medically, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I'm announcing my medical retirement from the game of basketball. This was not a decision that was made lightly, and after multiple surgeries plus an unexpected upcoming one, I, unfortunately, will have to walk away from a sport that I've been in love with since I was seven. I want to thank Coach Karen (Aston) and the entire UTSA coaching staff for taking me in and always surrounding me with love during my three years here. To my teammates, I will forever and always cherish our relationships and couldn't be prouder of what we achieved this past season … I can't wait to watch you all continue to make history. Everyone at UTSA has been incredibly supportive during this trying time, from Tam Nguyen and our training staff to working with Carl Austin III in our training facility daily; I am forever grateful. Lastly, I wouldn't be the woman I am today without my family's love and support. Your unwavering belief in me and my abilities on and off the court were not taken for granted. I truly appreciate your sacrifices that allowed me to fulfill a lifelong dream … Once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner, Birds Up!”
After transferring to UTSA from Texas, Coleman's career was marked by resilience and success. She redshirted her freshman season due to an injury, but that didn't deter her. Over the past three seasons, she emerged as a standout performer for the Roadrunners. Her defensive prowess was unmatched, as she became the program's all-time blocking leader, swatting an impressive 140 shots. She also joined UTSA's prestigious 500 rebound club, hauling in 588 boards, the ninth-most in school history. In her 94 games for the team, she started 78, averaging 9.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG.
She played a major role in a historic 2023-24 season that saw the 'Runners log their first ever postseason victory via an 80-62 win over Northern Colorado in the Opening Round of the WNIT. Coleman was recognized on the NCAA Starting Five after delivering a 32-point, 19-rebound performance against Wichita State in what represented the 'Runners first American Athletic Conference victory. Additionally, she was a 2022-23 Conference-USA All-Defensive Team selection and was named to the 2021-22 C-USA Commissioners Honor Roll.
“Elyssa has certainly left her mark on this program,” said Coach Aston. “She's played an integral part in laying the foundation of UTSA women's basketball, and I'm so grateful for everything she's done here. Throughout this entire process, she's kept a positive attitude, which is tough considering the circumstances … I am so incredibly proud of her success in the classroom, her involvement in advocating for herself and others on campus and her growth as a leader in our program. She has been a great example of fighting through adversity and not allowing circumstance affect success.”
Coleman graduated from UTSA in December of 2023 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and is currently pursuing a master's degree with an expected graduation in Spring of 2025.
Keep up with UTSA Women's Basketball on goutsa.com and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAWBB, X (Twitter) @UTSAWBB, and on Instagram @UTSA_WBB.
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