Rachel Spinosa joins the University of La Verne women’s basketball coaching staff for her first season as an assistant coach after completing her collegiate playing career at Life Pacific University. A former standout guard, Spinosa brings a wealth of playing experience, a passion for player development, and a deep love for the game of basketball.
Spinosa began her basketball career at Downey High School, where she earned CIF Southern Section First Team honors during the 2020–21 season and was named to the San Gabriel Valley League First Team three times. She continued her playing career at Life Pacific University from 2021 to 2026, earning GSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition each year from 2022 to 2026. During the 2022–23 season, she ranked among the GSAC's top five in scoring and rebounding and was named Life Pacific University Women's Basketball Player of the Year. She also finished her collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in scoring, steals, assists, and rebounds.
Throughout her playing career, Spinosa demonstrated resilience and perseverance, overcoming two ACL injuries, including a second injury during the 2023–24 season that led to a redshirt year in 2024–25. Her experiences as a student-athlete helped shape her desire to pursue coaching, a passion that began after her first ACL injury in high school in 2018.
In the summer of 2026, Spinosa was selected to participate in the Eurobasket Summer Tour in Portugal, where she competed against professional teams in Lisbon and Porto.
Spinosa was drawn to La Verne by the opportunity to work alongside Head Coach Anthony and contribute to a program she competed against throughout her collegiate career. She is especially excited to transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division III level and become part of a close-knit basketball community. As a coach, she hopes to use her playing experience and passion for the game to help student-athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and grow both on and off the court.
