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Clemens Assistant

Emily Clemens Elevated to Assistant Coach

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leatherneck women's basketball's all-time leading scorer was promoted to assistant coach.

MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois women's basketball head coach JD Gravina announced the promotion of Emily Clemens from graduate assistant coach to assistant coach.

"I am thrilled to be able to add Emily to our coaching staff," Gravina said. "Her playing career speaks for itself in terms of her understanding of the game and leadership ability. She has a passion for coaching and a love for Western Illinois University. She has already hit the ground running and is doing a terrific job both with her logistical duties and on-floor coaching. We are extremely lucky to have her."

Clemens shattered records as a four-year letterwinner at Western Illinois. As a point guard, she helped guide the Leathernecks to three consecutive postseason tournaments including the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 1995 during the 2016-17 season. 

The Muscatine, Iowa, native is the Western Illinois women's basketball all-time career leader in scoring (1,699 points), free throws made (558) and assists (687). She also holds Leatherneck women's basketball single season records in scoring (623 points), free throws made (202), free throw percentage (.864) and assists (241). Her career marks in free throws made and assists are also all-time Summit League records. 

Clemens was a two-team Summit League first-team honoree and was the Summit League 'Player of the Year' as a junior during the 2016-17 campaign as well as being the 2017-18 Summit League 'Preseason Player of the Year'. As a senior, Clemens was a participant in the 'So You Want To Be A Coach Program', which helps prepare women's basketball players to be coaches.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity Coach Gravina has given me," Clemens said. "I have been fortunate enough to learn under him as a player for four years, and am excited about transitioning into the coaching role. We have a great staff and a great group of girls. I can't think of a better place to start this career than here at Western."

She fills the assistant coach role after Taylor Ignoto was named the head women's basketball coach at Rock Valley College. Clemens graduated from Western Illinois University during the fall of 2017 with a marketing degree and is currently pursuing a master's degree in sport management. 
 
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