JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College director of Athletics Carl Christian has named Kimani Jackson the new head coach of the women's basketball program ahead of the 2021-22 season.

"We are very excited to add coach Kimani Jackson to our staff.  She is a highly regarded coach in the women's basketball community, having gained extensive experience at the NCAA Division II level as both a player and assistant coach.  Coach Jackson is a great fit for our women's basketball program and will look to build upon the solid foundation established by former head coach, Anastasia Bitis, to take the program to the next level." - Director of athletics Carl Christian

"I am excited and honored to join York College and serve as the head coach for our women's basketball program! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work within my community and mentor young women on and off the court.  I would like to thank the athletics staff at York and the rest of the College's administration for this incredible opportunity.  I am eager to work and continue building a positive and successful program at York College." - Head women's basketball coach Kimani Jackson

Jackson spent three seasons (2018-21) as an assistant women's basketball coach at Division II St. Thomas Aquinas College. During her time on staff at STAC, Jackson contributed to a program that advanced to three-straight East Coast Conference (ECC) semifinals. In her first year with the Spartans, Jackson's influence helped STAC post a 26-5 record to earn its second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance after the team advanced to the ECC Championship game. From 2018-21, Jackson helped to develop one ECC Player of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, and six All-ECC selections at STAC.  Jackson was also a member of a coaching staff that earned ECC Coach of the Year laurels in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Prior to arriving at STAC, Jackson coached the junior varsity girls basketball team at St. Anthony's High School (2017-18), and Level Up AAU (2017-18) and Team Underrated AAU (2014-16).  She also spent time at Empire Athletics as the girls basketball coach and trainer. 

Jackson attended Division II Molloy College, where she was a four-year member (2012-16) of the Lions' women's basketball program. As a senior, Jackson earned All-ECC Third Team honors.  From 2014-16, Jackson also led the program as a team captain and Most Valuable Player.  

After graduating from Molloy with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Jackson played semi professional ball for the Long Island Storm of the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) from 2018-19.

Growing up in Dix Hills, New York, Jackson was a two-time Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Long Island Champion at St. Anthony's High School (2010, 2012).  The prep star also attended Half Hollow Hills West High School as a freshman, where she contributed to a League Championship while garnering All-League and Most Valuable Athlete Recognition in 2009-10.

Jackson and her partner, Kyrie Sutton, reside in Queens Village, and are proud parents to daughter, Kaydence.

"While we are sorry to see Coach Bitis leave the program, we would like to share a sincere thanks for all of her contributions to York College women's basketball and the department as a whole.  We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to her remaining part of the Cardinal family as we build for the future." - Director of athletics Carl Christian

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