The University of Memphis women’s basketball team is preparing for their season and are being led by new Head Coach Katrina Merriweather and her staff. Within that staff is Assistant Coach Abby Jump, an assistant coach that used to play for Merriweather at Wright State.
Jump is a Union, Kentucky native and attended Ryle High School. She is ranked fifth all-time in 3-pointers made in the state of Kentucky, with 81 3-pointers made, and was named to the school’s Hall of Fame in 2019. After high school she was able to play at Wright State. As a junior and senior at Wright State, she ranked first in the Horizon League in 3-point percentage, shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc, and tied for 12th in the league in 3-pointers made, with 25 her senior year. In 2014 she helped lead the Wright State Raiders to an NCAA tournament appearance.
After playing, she had the opportunity to coach alongside Merriweather for three seasons at her alma mater.
“I knew I wanted to be a coach since high school. As a player I was eager for the opportunity and even told Merriweather that if she had coaching opportunities (I said I) would love to help,” Jump said.
Merriweather is a mentor to Jump and is the reason she was able to get into coaching right after graduation. In the three seasons that Jump coached at Wright State, the Raiders went 65-27 and had two NCAA tournament appearances.
Jump is currently the recruiting coordinator at Memphis, along with her role as an assistant coach. She was excited to come to Memphis and continue coaching alongside Merriweather.
“I would never pass up the opportunity to continue working with the past Wright State coaching staff. I trust Katrina and believe in what she is doing for these women. The city has welcomed us with open arms, and I am excited to get started,” Jump said.
The transition between the coaching staff has not been easy. With a mix of returning players and players that transferred with the coaching staff from Wright State, an adjustment had to be made.
“I think the transition has been smooth. The whole staff was in it with Coach Merriweather and the team could see that. The team has been buying in and trying to get better (everyday),” Jump said.
Jump brings her affinity for defense and rebounding to the team and a passion for winning games along with putting in hard work instead of cutting corners.
“My energy and wanting to win is what I bring to the table every day. I am going to do whatever it takes. I want to help impact the players, so they have a great experience,” Jump said.
Assistant Coach Abby Jump coaches a play-set during the women's basketball team's practice. She followed Head Coach Katrina Merriweather from Wright State after playing under Merriweather's tutelage.
