DC women’s basketball welcomes Nandy Lukusa Jr. to coaching staff

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College women's basketball team announced the addition of Nandy Lukusa Jr. to the team's coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season, the DC Athletic Department announced on Tuesday.

Lukusa Jr. joins head coach Courtney Peay, entering her third season leading the Yellow Jackets, and fellow assistant William Romes, back for his second season. 

The Yellow Jackets are adding an insightful, young asset to the program who already possesses a well-rounded knowledge base from all levels of college basketball, including NCAA Division I, II, and III. Lukusa Jr. has seven years of basketball experience in coaching and operations, most recently as the women's assistant coach at Muskingum University for the 2024-25 season. He also gained two years of valuable experience as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University from 2021-23. He was part of a coaching staff led by current Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick that tied the program record in wins (31), reached the WNIT Fab 4, and qualified for the postseason during both of his seasons on staff. The Falcons also produced three All-MAC honorees and one BGSU Hall of Famer during a renaissance period of the storied program.

In addition to college coaching experience, Lukusa Jr. spent one season at Traverse City West High School (2023-24) as the associate head coach for the varsity girls and an assistant for the varsity boys. He started his journey in basketball with the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G-League as a Gameday Operations Manager and promotions coordinator, roles he also held for two years at Grand Valley State from 2019-21. His time at GVSU allowed him to gain exposure to numerous sports and their gameday needs while enhancing the experience for student-athletes and fans.

Lukusa Jr. earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from Grand Valley State in 2021 and finished his master's in sport administration from BGSU in 2023.

"I am so excited to have Coach Lukusa join our program!" says Defiance College head coach Courtney Peay. "He comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help catapult us to where we need to go. From D1-D3 under phenomenal coaches, he's ready for this level and ready to help us get to the top!"

Defiance College women's basketball embarks on the program's second season at the NAIA level with the season tipping off in November.

-JACKETS-