Seton Hall Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach and East Brunswick, NJ native Lauren DeFalco, has been recognized by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association as an honoree on their Thirty Under 30 list for the 2016-17 college basketball season.

Per the WBCA, the Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.

“It’s a great honor and I’m proud to represent Seton Hall by winning this award,” DeFalco told DoubleGSports.com. “I wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for my boss giving me the opportunity four years ago and believing in me when he brought me with him.”

In her time at Seton Hall, DeFalco has worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. She has worked primarily with the Pirates guards, including Daisha and Ka-Deidre Simmons, and WNBA Draft Pick Shakena Richardson. In 2015, DeFalco took over the role as Tony Bozzella’s lead assistant.

“Coach DeFalco brings an unbridled passion to her position every day and serves as a wonderful guide and role model to our student-athletes,” Bozzella said via SHUPirates.com. “Her ability to identify talent on the recruiting trail and connect with players during their development is instrumental to the success of our program.”

Lauren DeFalco (right) is the lead assistant for Tony Bozzella (left) at Seton Hall. (Photo by John Jones – Double G Media)

Behind DeFalco’s leadership, Seton Hall recruiting has been a success. Currently, All Star Girls Report ranks the Pirates’ Class of 2017 No. 1 in the BIG EAST and top-50 nationally.

DeFalco starred as a player under Bozzella at Iona where she graduated as the Gaels all-time leader in three-point field goals and games played. She was a prep basketball star at Immaculata High School before attending Iona.

Having played for and now coach with Bozzella, DeFalco says she’s learned everything from him.

“All of it honestly,” DeFalco said when asked how much of her success relates to her former coach and current boss. “He gave me a chance when he recruited me to Iona. He gave me a chance to coach. He’s one of the best coaches in the country and I’ve learned so much from him not only on the court, but how to run a program, manage kids, manage the administration, etc.”

Prior to joining Bozzella’s staff at Seton Hall, DeFalco spent two seasons in the same capacity working with Bozzella at Iona College, and she served two seasons as a graduate assistant coach with the women’s basketball program at Sacred Heart University.

Having learned so much and experienced so much as a player and as a coach, DeFalco could someday take on a program of her own. While she does admit she would have some interest in that, she’s perfectly happy staying right by Bozzella’s side.

“Maybe one day if it was the right situation in the right area,” said DeFalco about running her own program. “Right now I’m very happy in the role that I am in. I still have a lot to learn before I can become a head coach!”

This is the second year of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 presented by Marriott Rewards® program. Visit www.wbca.org/recognize/ to see a list of honorees.