COLUMBUS, Ohio — A familiar face is coming home to the Ohio State women’s basketball bench. The program and head coach Kevin McGuff announced Saturday, October 24 that former Buckeye Taylor Thierry, a member of the class of 2025, has been named the team’s director of player development for this season.
In the new role, Thierry will work on enhancing student-athlete growth both on and off the court. According to the university, she will work closely with the coaching staff, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches to build comprehensive, individualized player development plans for members of the roster.
Thierry will also serve as a mentor for current players, helping them develop leadership skills, confidence and a strong work ethic. The position is built around fostering a high-performance environment focused on skills development, personal growth and post-graduation success — areas Thierry experienced firsthand during her own career in Columbus.
McGuff welcomed the hire in the university’s announcement. “I’m extremely excited to add Taylor Thierry to our staff this season,” McGuff said. “She’s incredibly passionate about this program and has shown how much hard work pays off. I’m looking forward to having her on the bench to help our young women continue to grow and compete at the highest level of collegiate women’s basketball.”
Thierry returns to Ohio State after spending two seasons in the WNBA. She was selected 37th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream and played in 17 games during her rookie season. She spent the 2026 season with the Seattle Storm, again playing in 17 games, this time with more minutes on the court and increased efficiency.
Her Buckeye playing resume gives her unusual credibility with the players she will now mentor. Thierry finished her collegiate career ranked in the top 30 in program history in eight career categories, including fifth in field goal percentage at .597, 10th in steals with 234, 15th in rebounds with 675 and 23rd in scoring with 1,270 points. As a senior, she was one of 10 semifinalists for the 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, was named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team and led the Buckeyes while tying for the Big Ten lead in steals per game at 2.3, finishing with a career-high 77 steals.
Thierry said returning in a staff role was an opportunity she valued. “I’m incredible grateful and excited for the opportunity to return to Ohio State in this role,” she said in the announcement. “Being part of this program has always been a special privilege, and I look forward to working with our student-athletes and providing the guidance and support they need to reach their full potential, both on and off the court.” She started 101 consecutive games across her sophomore, junior and senior seasons and played 131 games in a Buckeye uniform, the 11th-most in program history — experience the Buckeyes will now put to work from the bench at Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center.
Photo: JonRidinger, CC BY-SA