RALEIGH – Ebony Tanner returns to Shaw Nation as the new head women's basketball program. Her appointment makes her the first female head coach in program history.

Tanner previously head coached at Elizabeth City State, where she compiled a 13-38 record in two seasons.

She returns to Shaw after being a top assistant under former coach Jacques Curtis in the early 2000s.

"I am incredibly excited and honored to return to Shaw University," Tanner said. "Shaw is a place rich in tradition, excellence and pride, and being a Lady Bear means representing something bigger than yourself. The legacy built by the women and coaches before us is special, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue that tradition while pouring into the next generation of Lady Bears. I can't wait to get to work and represent this university, our alumni, and our community with passion and pride."

Prior to her stint at ECSU, Tanner was St. Augustine's head coach, leading the Falcons to their first winning season in 13 years during the 2023-24 campaign.

A native of Garner, Tanner earned her bachelor's degree from Richmond in 2003. She and men’s basketball coach Wykevin Bazemore will be formally introduced to the public May 27 at 10 a.m. inside Historic Estey Hall on Shaw’s campus.

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