Lindsey Yamasaki, a former Stanford standout, joined the Urban Knights as the program's first women's basketball head coach in 2008.
Yamasaki comes to the Academy of Art University after playing four years with the Stanford Cardinal (1998-2002) and four years professionally (2002-2006). During Yamasaki's successful career at Stanford, the Cardinal reached the NCAA Tournament each year, including an appearance in the West Regional Semifinals in 2002. At the start of the 2007-08 season, she was ranked 5th in Stanford history in 3-pointers made (192), 10th in points scored (1,497), 11th in points scored per game (13.0), and holds the record for most 3-pointers made in one game (9). Yamasaki also played two seasons with the Stanford volleyball team, which reached the NCAA Championship Final both years she was on the team.
After graduating from Stanford, Yamasaki was drafted in the second round by the Miami Sol of the WNBA. She subsequently played four years of professional basketball with the New York Liberty, the San Antonio Silver Stars, and in Turkey with Botas Spor and Ceyhan Belediye.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position at the Academy of Art, Yamasaki served as a volleyball coach at Palo Alto High School for two years, leading her teams to two De Anza League Championships while also serving as director of the Palo Alto Volleyball Club. She also coached a high school basketball team for one year at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for a Japanese Exchange Program that traveled to Japan in 2007. In addition, Yamasaki has been a personal basketball and volleyball coach for youth around the Bay Area as well as the director of her own basketball and volleyball skills camps.
Lindsey sees coaching at the Academy of Art University as an opportunity to make history and help build a program for students that are as committed to sports as they are the arts.
“This is a great opportunity for us to break some of the stereotypes placed on art students," says Coach Yamasaki. "These girls are fierce; I can’t wait to surprise everyone!”
She believes in the power of the student-athlete and feels that every student should have the opportunity to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Lindsey is here to share her basketball knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the game.
“It is my mission to help instill pride and confidence in my players," says Coach Yamasaki. "The Academy of Art students have the capability of being as good of competitors and ball players as any other school in the NCAA and I am here to help them see their potential.”
Yamasaki plans on setting a standard for excellence amongst the women’s team through instilling values such as commitment, determination, and relentless hard work.
“Though there is no legacy before us, there must be a level of expectation," says Coach Yamasaki. "I am determined to find those players that are willing to push the limits and surpass any and all presumptions about this URBAN KNIGHT team. We need some warriors and I won’t stop until I have found them!”
A native of Oregon City, Oregon, Yamasaki was a two-sport star for Oregon City High School before going on to Stanford. During her time at Oregon City High School, she won four state championships and three national titles (ranked in USA Today). Upon graduation in 1998, she was rated the most highly recruited athlete as well as an All-American in both basketball and volleyball. She graduated from Stanford with a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies: Architecture and Urban Design in 2002.
Head Coach, ART U
2008 - present
| Year |
Win |
Loss |
Pct. |
| 2010-11 |
11 |
14 |
.440 |
| 2009-10 |
10 |
27 |
.370 |
| 2008-9 |
6 |
20 |
.231 |
| TOTALS |
27 |
51 |
.346 |
Lindsey Yamasaki's Basketball Playing Career:
-1998-2002: Played for Stanford University
-Drafted in the 2nd round (29th player overall) by the Miami Sol of the WNBA
-2002-2003: Played for the Miami Sol of the WNBA
-2003: Played for Botas Spor of the Turkish League
-2003-2004: Played for the New York Liberty of the WNBA
-2004: Played for the Chicago Blaze of the NWBL
-2003-2005: Played for the San Antonio Silverstars of the WNBA
-2005: Played for Ceyhan Belediye of the Turkish League
-2006: Played for the San Jose Spiders of the NWBL
