Saniya Simmons joined UTRGV as the graduate assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season. She is pursuing a Master of Science in kinesiology at UTRGV.
Simmons played four years of college basketball, two at Lincoln University and two at Nebraska-Kearney. The Olathe, Kan., native and Olathe North product was a high school McDonald's All-American nominee and a first team all-state selection. She led Olathe North to an undefeated regular season and the No. 1 seed in the 2021-22 Kansas state championship tournament, and she set school records for career steals (222) and steals in a season. She averaged 6.7 points and 3.9 steals per game in high school.
Her collegiate career started at Lincoln University, where she was one of the team's top players in 2022-23 and 2023-24. She made 34 starts in 43 games and played nearly 29 minutes a night. Simmons averaged 5.8 points, 2.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shot 36 percent from three-point range and totaled 251 points, 120 assists, 94 rebounds and 75 steals. Her career high at Lincoln was 13 points, which she reached against UNK in 2023 and Washburn in 2024.
Simmons transferred to Nebraska-Kearney in 2024 and earned a Bachelor of Science in sports and recreation. As a junior in 2024-25, she led the team in steals (50) and free throw percentage (89 percent) and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. As a senior in 2025-26, she played in 28 games and averaged 5.4 points and 2.0 steals per game. She scored a career-high 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting at Central Missouri on Dec. 6, dished out a career-high seven assists against Southwestern and recorded a career-high seven steals against Chadron State. She earned MIAA Academic Honor Roll honors again.
Simmons will assist the Vaqueros coaching staff with individual workouts, practice plans, video coordination, film breakdown through Synergy, and scouting.
