Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook head women’s basketball coach Caroline McCombs has added one of her former players from the University of Pittsburgh, Jania Sims, to her staff. Sims will assume the role of Director of Operations.

“I am thrilled to bring on Jania Sims as our director of basketball operations,” said McCombs. “As a former Division I athlete, she exemplifies what we are continuing to build here at Stony Brook University. Coming from Shabazz High School, one of the top girls basketball programs in the Northeast, she brings a wealth of knowledge both on and off the court. My relationship with Jania stems back to our time spent together at the University of Pittsburgh. She was an outstanding point guard with tremendous leadership skills that will be invaluable to our student-athletes.”

Sims was a four-year starter at the University of Pitt, finishing her carer fifth in program history in assists (433), third in free-throw percentage (.821), and 17th in scoring (1,101). During her five years, the Panthers qualified for three NCAA Tournaments, twice advancing to the Regional Semifinals. She was a Big East All-Freshman selection in 2006-07 and an All-Big East Honorable Mention selection in 2009-10.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Stony Brook Athletics, coach McCombs and the Stony Brook women's basketball community for giving me the opportunity to work at the collegiate level,” said Sims. “It's a pleasure to reunite with coach McCombs. She was a great coach to me and is one of my mentors. I have gained a lot of experience playing at the highest levels in women's basketball and look forward to applying what I've learned to help the Seawolf family. I'm ecstatic about this opportunity and look forward to being the best I can be!”

After her playing career, Sims spent time as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Shabazz High School, before assuming the head coaching role for the last two seasons. Under her guidance, the Bulldogs were American Conference Co-Champions, finishing this past season with a 15-9 record and 10-2 conference record.

As a standout prep point guard, Sims guided Shabazz to a 117-9 record in four seasons, finishing her career with over 1,000 points and 500 assists. The Bulldogs were ranked as high as No. 8 by USA Today after a perfect 33-0 season, when Sims was an All-Newark and All-Essex County First Team selection as well as a candidate for New Jersey Miss Basketball.  Other accolades for Sims included second team all-state, Watchung Conference Player of the Year and a Star-Ledger All-Star honors.

Upon graduation, Sims played two seasons of professional basketball overseas, one with the Solna Vikings in Sweden and the other with New Basket Oberhausen in Germany.