Constantin Popa, a former University of Miami standout, enters his second season as the women’s basketball assistant coach in 2008-09. Popa helped guide the Greyhounds to a 22-win season and an NCAA appearance last year.
As a former post player himself, the seven-foot-three Popa mentors the Greyhound frontcourt players, including all-conference performer Samantha Meissel, who garnered 2008 GLVC Freshman of the Year honors under his guidance.
Before joining Head Coach LeAnn Freeland’s staff in 2007, Popa spent the previous two years as the varsity girl's head coach at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla.
"Constantin Popa brings a great deal of passion, experience, and knowledge to the UIndy women's basketball program," said Freeland. "We are extremely fortunate to have somebody with Coach Popa's credentials as a member of our staff. He has been successful in all aspects of the game as a player and as a coach. I expect him to make an immediate impact with the players and help us get the program moving in the right direction."
Popa starred for the Miami Hurricanes as a collegian. The Romania native was a two-time All-Big East performer and is the school's all-time leading shot blocker. Popa was drafted in the second round by the L.A. Clippers and later went on to star in both France and Israel as a professional.
Overseas, Popa helped three different European teams to a total of five national titles in two countries. He was also a member of the Romanian Olympic Team.
