Richmond Coach named WBCA 30 under thirty

Ariel Stephenson, an assistant coach of the University of Richmond women’s basketball team, was named one of the 2025 Women’s Basketball Coaching Association’s 30 under thirty. 

In her two years at UR, Stephenson, 29, has helped mentor players, aiding them in the back-to-back regular season Atlantic 10 Championships. Her accomplishments landed her among the prestigious young coaches making an impact in women’s basketball. 

“I’ve been seeing people get [the title] within the industry for a while now,” Stephenson said. “It was a surreal feeling.”

While it is usually head coaches that pick up awards, Stephenson’s hard work to make an impact on players’ lives has not gone unnoticed. Her behind the scenes work has brought her to the spotlight.  

Stephenson has come a long way since she stepped onto the court at Wake Forest University in 2015 as a first-year guard. Even then, she knew she wanted to be a coach once she graduated. Learning how to navigate the other side of the player-coach relationship was a major learning curve. 

“I sent messages to all of the coaches I had and said I’m sorry because I suddenly knew everything that went into it,” Stephenson said. “You know, food doesn’t just show up, people order it, set it up for you and it gets cleaned up. As a student you just walk in and walk out.”

She started her career as a graduate assistant at George Washington for one year while she completed her master's degree in sport management before moving to Davidson College. She was the Director of Player Development for the Wildcats but was promoted to Director of Basketball Operations in 2022. Her main goal throughout everything was to absorb as much experience as possible and to inspire young women. 

“I’m just trying to figure out how I can be a better version of myself and not just sit here [stagnant],” Stephenson said. 

Her move to Richmond happened the summer before the 2023-24 season. She heard there was a job opening and entered the application process in June. A month later, her bags were packed. Stephenson, native to Virginia, punched her ticket home. 

“My boss at Davidson was very understanding,” Stephenson said. “She even said ‘If you're gonna leave, this is the place for you.’”

The UR coaching staff already knew Stephenson, as the Spiders and Wildcats play in the same conference. Having coached against each other on opposite sides of the court for several years, they bridged the gap as she donned Spider red and blue. 

“I’m very excited to have Ariel join our staff and be a mentor to our young women,” Head Coach Aaron Roussell said in a post-announcement press release. “She was an incredible teammate, a fierce competitor and carried herself with a magnetic charisma throughout the A-10 and we are eager for her to show those attributes as a Spider.” 

Being a younger member of the staff has given her strength in many ways. Not too long ago, she was a player going through the same things as the students she mentors. Her dynamic career involved injuries, the transfer portal and several other challenges that have better connected her with the team. 

“They still find a way to remind me that I’m older, but I remember what it’s like to be in a locker room,” Stephenson said. “I understand some of the intricacies of talking to teammates and trying to get a message across.”

She does her best to bridge the gap between the coaching staff and the players, uniting them as one. Plus, she still knows some of the songs they workout to, she proudly admitted. 

During her time at Richmond, she has had the opportunity to watch the Spiders progress. Since her arrival, the team has made two March Madness appearances and broken program records. 

A holistic image of the team has given her more insight into the Spiders not only as assets on the court, but also as young women. Stephenson believes it takes more than just a relationship on the court and in practice. 

“Yes, you’re a basketball player, but you’re a human first,” she said. “So, taking the time to understand the human hearts of them gives you a lot of credibility. Then, you can coach them on the court.”

While her career has only just begun, she does not shy away from the future. A passion for coaching basketball and a drive to touch the lives of others drives her to do her best everyday. 

“I think if I continue to make an impact, the rest will happen as it’s supposed to,” Stephenson said. “My goals are just to continue to be myself, continue to have a growth mindset and first and foremost, be a good person.”

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu.