Zhaneia ‘Z’ Thybulle enters her first year as a Wagner women's basketball assistant coach prior to the Seahawks' 2025-26 campaign.
Thbulle most recently spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Adelphi University in Garden City. During her time as a Panther, Z implemented a new defensive system that elevated the team’s scoring defense ranking from eighth to third in the NE-10 and installed a baseline-out-of-bounds package that increased scoring by an average of eight points per game.
Z directed all individual player development sessions, leading to measurable improvements in returning players’ field-goal and three-point percentages. In addition, she managed team travel schedules, organized practices, maintained video and statistical databases, and filed detailed scouting reports to support athlete development and recruiting evaluations.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Z back to Wagner in this new role. She embodies everything it means to be a Seahawk—hard work, leadership, and a deep love for this program, commented Coach Coburn. She is a terrific coach, and our players will benefit greatly from her experience and the passion she brings every day.”
No stranger to Grymes Hill, Thybulle played five collegiate seasons between UNC Wilmington and Wagner. Thybulle appeared in 114 career games with 74 starts, finishing her career as a two-time All-Northeast Conference (NEC) Third Team selection (2021-22, 2022-23) and the NEC’s assists leader in back-to-back seasons.
While a Seahawk, the Elmont, NY native appeared in 75 games, making 74 starts, logging 2428 minutes averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 33 minutes per game while shooting 38.4% from the floor.
In 2022-23, Thybulle averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, leading the NEC in assists for the second straight year and ranking 91st nationally. Thybulle recorded the third triple-double in Wagner history and the first in the NEC since 2020-21, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists at LIU on February 11, scored in double-figures 17 times, averaging 11.8 points in conference play, and was named NEC Player of the Week on December 19.
As a senior in 2021-22, Thybulle started 28 of 29 games and averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game. Thybulle ranked first in the NEC in assists, seventh in steals, and finished top-20 in both scoring and rebounding. Thybulle had 16 double-digit scoring games, handed out a season-high 11 assists twice, and recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 assists at Merrimack. Nationally, Thybulle ranked 37th in assists per game and 44th in total assists.
In her first season at Wagner (2020-21), Thybulle started all 18 games and averaged 5.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. Thybulle ended second in the NEC in assists and third in assist-to-turnover ratio, while ranking top-50 in the nation in assists per game. Thybulle set a career-high with 12 assists against Mount St. Mary’s, the highest single-game total in the NEC that season.
Coach Z joined elite company as the sixth player to earn All-NEC honors in consecutive seasons as Thybulle picked up All-NEC Third Team honors after the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Thybulle is the founder and head trainer of Visionary Hoopers, where Thybulle has worked with youth, college, and professional athletes to improve skill development, with a focus on shooting, ball-handling, and decision-making.
Thybulle also serves as a Youth Basketball Coach at Hoops 101 in Port Washington, NY, where Thybulle organizes skill-based training sessions and emphasizes player fundamentals, sportsmanship, and team development.
Thybulle graduated from Wagner in 2022 with a B.S. in Business Administration.
