Valentina Ionova begins her first year as an assistant coach for the Adelphi University women's basketball team. Her responsibilities include working with the guards and supervision of the team managers and equipment. She will also assist with monitoring of study hall.
Ionova came to Adelphi in 2006-07 as a graduate student, playing one year for the Panthers. She started in 18 of 29 games played averaging 7.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg. Prior to Adelphi she played basketball for St. Francis College (NY) where she earned a degree in business management. She captained the Terriers and earned the coach's award as well as academic honors from the NEC conference. She was also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board.
Born in Varna, Bulgaria, Ionova attended schoool in Nicosia Cyprus and was a member of the Cypriot National Team. Her father played professional basketball for the national team of Bulgaria and is currently the assistant coach for the national team of Bulgaria.
Ionova is fluent in three languages, English, Greek and Bulgarian. She is currently pursuing her masters in sport mangment from Adelphi.
