Jaylyn Agnew, one of the most decorated players in Creighton women’s basketball history, has joined the coaching staff of her alma mater as an assistant coach. Agnew, who was the 2020 BIG EAST Player of the Year and the first WNBA draftee from Creighton, announced her retirement from professional basketball in June 2023 and accepted the offer from head coach Jim Flanery to return to the Bluejays.
“I am back because I love Creighton,” said Agnew. “I love the coaches staff and the impact they made on me. Now I hope to make that type of impact on others.”
Flanery, who coached Agnew for five seasons from 2015 to 2020, expressed his excitement about adding another Creighton legend to his bench.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to bring back one of the most decorated players in school history in Jaylyn,” said Flanery. “She has an ability to immediately connect with current and future student-athletes as she brings such impactful knowledge from her experiences on and off the court.”
Agnew’s Stellar Career at Creighton
Agnew, a native of Andover, Kansas, finished her Creighton career with 1,552 points, 657 rebounds, 302 assists and 253 made three-pointers. She ranks sixth in program history in scoring, fourth in three-pointers and ninth in assists. She also holds the school record for free-throw percentage (90.9%) and single-game scoring (43 points).
As a senior in 2019-20, Agnew averaged 20.8 points per game, the fifth-highest mark in school history and the most since Kathy Halligan in 1989-90. She also led the BIG EAST in scoring and three-pointers made (89). She was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year, an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention and a DI-AAA ADA Scholar Athlete with a GPA of 3.79.
Agnew helped the Bluejays reach four NCAA Tournaments and one WNIT during her career. She was also a three-time All-BIG EAST selection and the 2017 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year.
Agnew’s Professional Journey
After graduating from Creighton in 2020, Agnew was selected by the Washington Mystics with the 24th overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. She became the first player from Creighton to be drafted into the WNBA and the second player from the BIG EAST that year.
Agnew was waived by the Mystics before the season started but was signed by the Atlanta Dream in June 2020. She appeared in 12 games for the Dream, averaging 1.3 points and 0.4 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per game.
Agnew also played overseas for three different teams: WBC Sparta & K Moscow Region – Vidnoye (Russia), Elitzur Tel Aviv (Israel) and Gesam Gas & Luce Le Mura Lucca (Italy). She averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in eight games for Sparta & K before suffering an injury that sidelined her for the 2021 WNBA season.
Agnew announced her retirement from basketball on June 30, 2023 via her personal Twitter feed. She thanked her family, friends, coaches, teammates and fans for their support throughout her career.
Agnew’s New Role at Creighton
Agnew will join Flanery’s staff as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season. She will work with the guards and help with recruiting, scouting and player development. She will also bring her experience as a professional athlete and a leader to mentor the current and future Bluejays.
Agnew is not the only former Creighton player on Flanery’s staff. Carli Berger, Chevelle Saunsoci, Jenny Vickers and Connie Yori all played for the Bluejays’ women’s squad, while Flanery was on the men’s team. With Agnew’s addition, six of Creighton’s seven staff members are Creighton graduates.
Agnew said she is looking forward to working with Flanery again and contributing to the success of Creighton women’s basketball.
“I am excited to learn from Coach Flanery and his staff,” said Agnew. “They have built a great culture here and I want to be a part of it.”
