Maria Cruz Uceda joined the Fighting Saints in July of 2023 as a graduate assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. The 2024-25 season will mark Cruz Uceda’s second year as the graduate assistant.
At St. Francis, Cruz Uceda assists the program in coordination of practice plans, individual player development, and implementation of game strategies.
A three-year member of the USF women’s basketball program as a transfer from Marshalltown Community College, Cruz Uceda saw action in 50 games between 2019-22. During that time, Cruz Uceda averaged 1.3 rpg, while collecting 10 blocks and eight steals from the guard position. Cruz Uceda was a 37.7 percent shooter, and connected on 25.0 percent of three-point attempts.
During her three years as a Saint, Cruz Uceda – an NAIA Scholar Athlete - was a member of three NAIA National Tournament qualifying teams that produced an overall record of 79-18 and two Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament titles.
Cruz Uceda graduated from the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in May of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. During her time as a student-athlete at USF, she received NAIA Scholar Athlete accolades. Cruz Uceda is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from University of St. Francis (Ill.), and is expected to graduate in May of 2025.
