Esmeralda Morales joins Montana State coaching staff
Montana State University announced this week that Esmeralda Morales has been appointed as a graduate assistant coach, marking the next step in a basketball journey that has taken her from standout collegiate player to professional competitor abroad.
During the 2024‑25 season Morales was a cornerstone of the Bobcats’ historic run, helping the program capture its eighth Big Sky regular‑season title and securing a fourth straight tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth. Her performances earned her Big Sky Most Valuable Player honors and a WBCA All‑America Honorable Mention nod, while she finished among the top five nationally in points, steals and assists.
A historic playing career
Morales’s professional résumé includes a championship‑winning stint with Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco in Chile and a recent MVP award with the Australian National Basketball League side Lakeside Lightning, where she was recognized as NBL1 West Women’s MVP in August.
Coach Binford’s endorsement
Head coach Tricia Binford described Morales as a winner, competitor and champion, highlighting her championship habits, relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence. Binford emphasized that Morales will serve as a point guard and an extension of the coaching staff, bringing valuable game knowledge and leadership to the roster.
The Bobcats open their season on November 2 against Black Hills State in Bozeman, and the new coaching addition is already shaping preparations as the team looks to build on its recent successes.