A former top-5 WNBA draft pick has joined the coaching staff for women’s basketball.

Introduction

Alabama women’s basketball has taken a significant step toward bolstering its coaching bench by adding a former elite collegiate scorer and WNBA first-round pick to its staff. On May 22, 2025, head coach Kristy Curry announced the hiring of Chelsea Dungee-Artberry as an assistant coach responsible for player development and recruiting operations. This move represents a strategic infusion of high-level playing experience and recruiting acumen into the Crimson Tide program, aligning with Alabama’s long-term vision of returning to national prominence in the NCAA landscape .

Early Life and High School Stardom

Born on May 11, 1997, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Chelsea Dungee began her basketball journey at Preston High School before transferring to Sapulpa High School for her junior and senior seasons. During her time at Preston, she led the school to an OSSAA Class AA state championship, averaging over 25 points per game and earning the prestigious Gatorade State Player of the Year award for Oklahoma following her sophomore season . Her high school dominance not only made her one of the most sought-after prospects in the region but also set the stage for a standout collegiate career.

Collegiate Career: From Oklahoma to Arkansas

Dungee’s collegiate path began at the University of Oklahoma, where she played her freshman year in 2016–17 and averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game. Seeking a larger role and new opportunities, she transferred to the University of Arkansas, sitting out the 2017–18 season per NCAA transfer rules .

Upon becoming eligible, Dungee’s impact at Arkansas was immediate and profound. Over three seasons with the Razorbacks:

• 2018–19: She exploded for 759 points, setting a single-season scoring record at Arkansas and averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, earning All-SEC First-Team honors .
• 2019–20: Dungee continued her elite play with 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, guiding Arkansas to a competitive position within the SEC.
• 2020–21: In her senior season, she averaged 22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, solidifying her status as an Associated Press and WBCA All-American .

Her Razorbacks tenure culminated with career totals of 2,147 points—making her the all-time leading scorer in program history upon graduation—and a reputation as one of the nation’s premier two-guard prospects .

WNBA Draft and Professional Playing Career

Chelsea Dungee’s collegiate accomplishments earned her selection by the Dallas Wings with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 WNBA Draft . As a top-5 pick, expectations were high that her scoring prowess and leadership would translate seamlessly to the professional level. However, Dungee’s WNBA tenure was limited to the 2021 season:

• Games Played: 14
• Minutes Per Game: 4.6
• Points Per Game: 0.6
• Field Goal Percentage: 17.6%
• Three-Point Percentage: 20.0%

Despite the modest statistical output, her WNBA experience offered invaluable exposure to the highest level of competition, daily practice regimens, and the professional athlete’s mentality .

Transition to Coaching: Building a New Path

Following the conclusion of her playing career after the 2022 season, Dungee-Artberry quickly attracted interest for her potential as a coach. In 2022, she accepted an assistant coaching position at Troy University, where she contributed to:

• Overall Record: 39–25
• Sun Belt Conference Record: 27–9
• Achievements: Guided the Trojans to their first-ever postseason victory and a No. 2 seed in the SBC Tournament (2023) .

Her success at Troy paved the way for a move to the University of Tulsa for the 2023–24 season, where she played a key role in steering the Golden Hurricanes to the American Athletic Conference championship game and securing a berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament . These experiences honed her skills in player development, scouting, and recruiting—skills directly translatable to her new role at Alabama.

Role and Responsibilities at Alabama

At Alabama, Dungee-Artberry will serve as the director of player development and recruiting operations. Her duties include on-floor coaching during practices and games, designing individualized skill-development plans, and leading off-campus scouting and recruitment efforts. This hybrid role leverages her first-hand understanding of elite guard play, shooting mechanics, and offensive footwork, while capitalizing on her recruiting network built during her tenure in the SEC and AAC .

Coach Kristy Curry emphasized Dungee-Artberry’s dual value as both a teacher and recruiter: “Her competitive spirit, leadership qualities, and player-first mindset are exactly what we value as we continue building a championship culture at Alabama” .

Strategic Fit Within Alabama’s Program

Under Kristy Curry, Alabama women’s basketball has steadily climbed the SEC standings, emphasizing an up-tempo offensive identity and disciplined defensive principles. The addition of Dungee-Artberry strengthens the staff’s capacity to develop perimeter players capable of scoring, defending, and making high-basketball-IQ decisions in crucial moments. Furthermore, her connections within the talent-rich Southeast—particularly in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas—offer Alabama an expanded footprint in high school recruiting pipelines .

Impact on Player Development

Dungee-Artberry’s hands-on experience as a two-time All-SEC performer, All-American, and pro guard equips her to:

1. Elevate Shooting Efficiency: Implement drill progressions that improved her college three-point percentage to 38.7% in 2020–21 .
2. Enhance Scoring Versatility: Teach footwork and shot-creation techniques that allowed her to score from anywhere on the court, reaching a peak of over 22 points per game as a Razorback.
3. Cultivate Mental Toughness: Share insights from navigating high-pressure SEC matchups and the grind of a WNBA season.

These elements are crucial for Alabama’s backcourt, which saw significant turnover in recent years and now seeks consistent scoring options in league play.

Recruiting Edge

As the program’s recruiting operations lead, Dungee-Artberry will leverage her reputation to forge relationships with top prospects. Her journey—from high school standout to All-American to WNBA draftee—serves as a compelling narrative for recruits aiming for similar trajectories. Additionally, her ties to girls’ high school programs in the Midwest and her visibility at elite camps and AAU circuits enhance Alabama’s ability to attract national-caliber talent.

Looking Ahead: Aspirations and Expectations

With Dungee-Artberry’s hiring, Alabama women’s basketball signals an aggressive push toward SEC contention and NCAA Tournament longevity. The Crimson Tide aims for a Sweet 16 berth within the next two seasons, a goal that hinges on player development and recruitment—both areas now fortified by Dungee-Artberry’s expertise. Her blend of on-court credibility and behind-the-scenes work ethic align seamlessly with Coach Curry’s blueprint for program ascendancy.

Conclusion

Chelsea Dungee-Artberry’s transition from top-5 WNBA draft selection to collegiate coach encapsulates a full-circle journey through America’s basketball hierarchy. Her steep learning curve at Arkansas, professional encounters in Dallas, and coaching impact at Troy and Tulsa have prepared her for a defining role at Alabama. As the Crimson Tide embarks on the 2025–26 season, all eyes will be on how Dungee-Artberry’s skill-development protocols and recruiting strategies translate into on-court success. If her track record is any indication, Alabama has secured a valuable asset in its quest for conference titles and deep NCAA Tournament runs.