Stony Brook head women’s basketball coach Caroline McCombs named Jania Sims Director of Basketball Operations in April of 2016.
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.
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.
