University of Georgia women's basketball head coach Ayla Guzzardo has announced the addition of two seasoned professionals to her coaching staff, naming Aja Ochie as Director of Player Development and Braxston Lee as Director of Skill Development/Video Coordinator.
Aja Ochie brings a proven track record
Ochie arrives after a decade of service that includes a stint as head girls basketball coach at Dunham School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a ten‑year run as an assistant with the Lady Lions, where she helped guide the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022‑23. Prior to that, she served as an assistant at Southeastern Louisiana University alongside Guzzardo, a partnership that culminated in the team’s historic tournament run.
Braxston Lee adds a fresh perspective
Lee, who most recently functioned as a graduate assistant at McNeese State under Guzzardo, founded the Krewe of Elite AAU Basketball team and spent several years coaching 12U and 16U squads across Louisiana. His background also includes a role as a reporter for LSU Tiger TV and a teaching position within the Central Community School System, giving him a blend of analytical and instructional experience.
A cohesive support network
The new appointments round out a staff that already features associate head coach Kenneth Lee, Jr., co‑head coaches Justin Payne and Ronneka Robertson, recruiting specialist Amber Gregg, recruitment director Bri Patton, and operations chief Megan Herboth. Together, they form a layered development model that emphasizes player growth, video analysis and strategic recruiting.
Looking ahead
Guzzardo emphasized that the final additions reflect a deliberate effort to deepen the program’s developmental pipeline. With Ochie’s player‑development expertise and Lee’s video‑driven approach, the coaching staff aims to sustain the momentum generated by the program’s recent tournament breakthrough and to position the Bulldogs for continued success on the national stage.