Embry-Riddle's Head Women's Basketball Coach Lisa Nuxol-Wilson added Gianna Messina to the women’s basketball coaching staff in September 2015.
“I am really excited for our program to be able to add Gianna to our staff,” Nuxol-Wilson said. “She is such an impressive young lady who was an extremely successful student-athlete in the Sunshine State Conference. She definitely knows the game and will be able to assist our players in their development on the court and in the classroom."
Messina began her collegiate career at the University of South Florida where she earned 10 starts in 29 appearances. The following year, she transferred to the University of Tampa and made an immediate impact on the Spartan program. A three-year team captain she graduated with 1,326 points and became the only Tampa women's basketball player to join the program's 1,000-point club in only three years. With Messina in the lineup, the Spartans posted a 73-19 record, won two SSC regular season conference titles, won one SSC conference tournament and made three consecutive DII NCAA tournament appearances. Messina ranked fourth in the nation for 3-point field goal percentage during her senior season at 45%.
As of the 2014-15 season, Messina holds the school records for career three-point percentage (.441), career free throw percentage (.815), is second in minutes per game (34.9) and third in three-pointers made (207) and defensive rebounds per game (5.8).
Messina was recognized for her accomplishments on the basketball court as well as in the classroom. A three-time First Team All-Sunshine State Conference selection, she was also named Academic All-Conference all four years. Messina served as the women’s basketball representative on the USF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during her freshman season.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Tampa in May 2011, Messina began her professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she currently works as a Certified Public Accountant.
