JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State Head Women's Basketball Coach Annette Watts has added Shaneka Bates to her staff, announced by athletics director Oval Jaynes.

Bates comes to JSU after serving as head coach at West Georgia Technical College in 2009. Prior to beginning her coaching career, the Heflin, Ala.-native played intercollegiate basketball at the University of West Georgia from 2007-09. While at UWG, she helped guide the Wolves to a 47-12 record and a pair of Gulf South Conference East Division titles under Craig Roden. Bates was named to the Gulf South Conference Winter All Academic Team along with being awarded one of the NCAA's Degree Completion Award, which provides assistance to student-athletes to complete their degree. While at UWG, she was named to the Multicultural Achievement Program and a member of the WAMO (Wolf Athlete Mentor Organization.)

Prior to attending UWG, Bates spent two seasons at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. under the tutelage of Madonna Thompson from 2005-07. As a two-year member of the SSCC basketball program, Bates helped the Buccaneers to a 62-9 overall mark and claimed back-to-back Alabama Community College Conference state titles. She led SSCC in field goal percentage, offensive rebounds and blocked shots. Bates was named to the ACCC Northern league Second Team along with earning All-Tournament honors.

Before starting her collegiate career, Bates prepped at nearby Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Ala. She was a member of the basketball and softball programs at CCHS as well as the dance line. She served as Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America organization at CCHS.

She joins Dee Bell and Matt Couvillion, who joined Watts' staff during the summer.