Emaia O'Brien joins Winthrop as the Director of Creative Content / Video Coordinator after a standout playing career and early coaching experience at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Most recently, O'Brien served as Graduate Assistant Coach for University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball beginning in June 2025, where she planned and executed practices focused on skill development and game day preparation, developed the team's guards and wings, and broke down game film and scouting reports. She also evaluated recruits and supported the program's recruiting efforts. Alongside her coaching role, she served as Digital Media Assistant, creating content to enhance the program's visibility while supporting team operations, travel, and administrative coordination.
Before transitioning to coaching, O'Brien worked as a Basketball Trainer with High Velocity Basketball in Canton, Mich., from 2024-25, where she trained athletes ages 6-16 in shooting, ball handling, and confidence-building, and provided feedback to parents and athletes on development and performance.
O'Brien's coaching background is rooted in her own playing career. She spent her final collegiate season at the University of Detroit Mercy, earning Third Team All-Horizon League honors and reaching the 1,000-point scoring milestone. She began her career at Long Island University, where she was named NEC Rookie of the Year in 2021-22, earned Preseason All-Conference honors in 2022-23, and led the conference in three-point percentage in 2023-24.
A native of Detroit, Mich., O'Brien earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from Long Island University in 2024 and is expected to complete her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Detroit Mercy in May 2026.
