Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State assistant women's basketball coach Shayna Gore has been named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Thirty Under 30 list, presented by Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment, for the 2025-26 season. The WBCA announced the winners on Tuesday.
Gore is in her second season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on head coach Melissa Jackson's staff at Youngstown State. She joins fellow Penguin assistant coaches Kayla DeCriscio and Courtney Davidson in the annual program that recognizes up-and-coming coaches in the country. DeCriscio earned the honor in 2021 while at Niagara, and Davidson was a 2016 honoree while coaching at Radford.
"From the day Shayna was hired, she immediately hit the ground running and hasn't stopped," Jackson said. "She is a relationship builder and an on-court developer. Our post players have grown tremendously under her guidance. Shayna is an elite recruiter who outworks our competition on a daily basis. She has also demonstrated tremendous growth in breaking down film and putting together a scout. Shayna has a bright future in this profession, and she is very deserving of this honor."
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
"Congratulations to these coaches who have distinguished themselves so early in their careers," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA is pleased to recognize this up-and-coming talent in our coaching family. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes."
"Morgan Stanley is proud to celebrate the outstanding young leaders recognized in the 2026 class of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 program," said John Ludwig, global sports and entertainment director, for Morgan Stanley. "These trailblazing coaches exemplify dedication, innovation, and a passion for shaping the future of women's basketball. Their impact extends far beyond the court, inspiring the next generation of athletes and leaders. We applaud their commitment to excellence and look forward to seeing their continued success in the sport."
Gore oversees Youngstown State's recruiting efforts as its recruiting coordinator, and she serves as the position coach for the Penguins' talented group of posts. Three forwards earned postseason honors from the Horizon League in 2025-26, highlighted by Sophia Gregory being voted the conference's Defensive Player of the Year and a Second-Team All-Horizon League selection. Paulina Hernandez was named the league's Sixth Player of the Year, and Sarah Baker earned All-Freshman Team accolades.
Before coming to Youngstown State, Gore was an assistant coach at Western Carolina during the 2023-24 season and a graduate assistant at Indiana from 2021-23. Her coaching career began at the high school level as the youngest head coach in West Virginia at St. Albans High School in St. Albans, W. Va.
Gore had a notable playing career at Marshall from 2015-19 and earned All-Conference USA accolades three times. She finished her collegiate career with 2,081 points, ranking third-best in program history and sixth all-time in C-USA history. Gore made 303 career 3-pointers, the most ever by a Thundering Herd player, and helped Marshall to postseason berths in the Women's NIT and the Women's Basketball Invitational. In high school, she was the West Virginia Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2015 and a four-time first-team All-State selection at Logan High School.
