Tatum joins UAA women's basketball coaching staff

Anchorage, Alaska (Sept. 2) - The UAA women's basketball program has added to its staff as head coach Matt Thune announced Tuesday that Jaelen Tatum has been hired as an assistant coach.

A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Tatum spent the past two years with the Lopes' program as a student manager and practice player. He assisted with drills, film study, and team travel and operations, helping GCU to a 32-3 record and the Western Athletic Conference title in his last season.

The Seattle native also assisted with off-season skills development under Coach Thune at Seattle University and was active with the Hoops For Life kids' camp, helping to oversee day-to-day operations.

"I am really excited to see Jaelen hit the ground running here at UAA," said Thune, who begins his tenure with the Seawolves this season. "Jaelen is a high-character individual who will represent our program and university with the utmost standards. We were fortunate to spend some time together in the WAC and while I was at Seattle University, and I was very impressed with his dedication and hunger to begin his career in women's basketball. He has seen what winning at an elite level looks like at GCU with the women's team, and there is no doubt those experiences will guide him as he begins to mentor our athletes and make an impact at UAA."

Tatum played basketball at Chief Sealth International High School and at the collegiate club level at GCU, where he earned his bachelor's degree in sports and entertainment management.