First year UA head coach Niya Butts continued filling her Arizona women’s basketball coaching staff with the addition of Alysiah Bond, Butts announced yesterday.

Bond joins Arizona as the program’s director of operations after spending last season alongside Butts’ other newly hired UA assistant Brady Manning at Central Florida.

Butts will continue filling her staff by adding two more positions at a time yet to be determined, said team information director Julian Temblador in an e-mail.

“”The opportunity to join Niya’s staff and assist in her vision in this program is one I accept with great honor and excitement,”” Bond said in a press release. “”I have known Niya for a decade and I have maintained a fundamental respect for her as a person and a professional.

“”It is truly a privilege to work with a dynamic leader with unmatched energy and passion for young people,”” Bond added.

The connection between Butts and Bond goes back to 1998, when Tennessee hired Bond as the director of women’s basketball operations – the time when Butts played for the Lady Vols.

During her most recent tenure at UCF, Bond took the responsibilities of development of perimeter players, scouting and recruiting.

Bond’s prior experience includes an assistant position at Murray State and director of special programs for USA Basketball from 1997-1998.

The Los Angeles native played four seasons at point guard for Ohio State from 1991-1995, leading the Buckeyes to the NCAA National Championship game in 1993.

“”I am extremely grateful to have Alysiah as our director of operations at Arizona,”” Butts said in the release. “”Alysiah’s experience and ability are second to none in women’s basketball, and her addition to our staff will be an integral part of our success in the future.

“”She can do it all, I am comfortable working with her, I trust her and I am confident she will do an amazing job for this program,”” Butts said.

Sticking together

? Alysiah Bond spent last season coaching with UA assistant Brady Manning at Central Florida

? Bond was the director of women’s basketball operations at Tennessee in 1998 when UA head coach Niya Butts played for the Lady Vols

? Tennessee went 95-10 when Bond served as the Lady Vols’ director of operations

? A native of Los Angeles, Bond played point guard at Ohio State for four seasons, helping the Buckeyes advance to the NCAA Championship game in 1993.