George Washington University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Adds Essence Baucom to Coaching Staff
5/4/2026 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
GW Women's Basketball Head Coach Ganiyat Adeduntan has announced the addition of Essence Baucom to the program's coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season. Baucom arrives in Foggy Bottom from Elon and will serve as an assistant coach on Adeduntan's staff.
Baucom joins the Revolutionaries after five seasons with Elon women's basketball. An alumna of the program, Baucom served as an assistant coach and the program's recruiting coordinator since 2021. Under her leadership, the Phoenix enjoyed both individual and team success, including five all-conference honorees, including the CAA's Rookie of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year, Jayda Angel, during the 2024-25 season.
"I'm beyond excited to join George Washington women's basketball and contribute to a program with a proud tradition and history of success. Coach G is a proven winner whose leadership and culture set the standard, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work, learn and grow with her. Being able to coach and recruit in a dynamic city like Washington, D.C., while developing high-level student-athletes, makes this opportunity even more special. I can't wait to get to work!"
During Baucom's first year with Elon in 2021-22, the Phoenix finished with a 9-9 record in conference action, marking the first time since 2017-18 that the program finished at or above .500 in CAA matchups. Fast forward to Baucom's final season in 2025-26, Elon finished 10-8 in the CAA, achieving the first 10-win conference season in nine years.
Prior to returning to Elon, Baucom spent one season as an assistant with Furman. Baucom helped the Paladins to an 11-14 record, including a mark of 9-1 at home. Before landing her first full-time coaching gig, Baucom was a graduate assistant at NC State, contributing to a program that saw success at the national level. Included in that success was an ACC Tournament Championship in 2022, the program's first in over 30 seasons. The Wolfpack also won five NCAA Tournament games in her two seasons, advancing to the Elite Eight during the '22 campaign.
During her collegiate career, Baucom played in 96 games with Elon, finishing in the top ten in numerous statistical categories all-time. Namely, she finished seventh in career assists with 382, while her 4.0 assists per game average ranked this in program history. She was a CAA All-Tournament selection in her senior season, leading the Phoenix to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2017. The program also made postseason appearances in the WNIT in 2015 and 2016.
Baucom earned two bachelor's degrees while at Elon, one in sports and event management and a second in marketing with a minor in business administration. She earned her master's degree in liberal studies from NC State in 2020.
Baucom joins the Revolutionaries after five seasons with Elon women's basketball. An alumna of the program, Baucom served as an assistant coach and the program's recruiting coordinator since 2021. Under her leadership, the Phoenix enjoyed both individual and team success, including five all-conference honorees, including the CAA's Rookie of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year, Jayda Angel, during the 2024-25 season.
"I'm beyond excited to join George Washington women's basketball and contribute to a program with a proud tradition and history of success. Coach G is a proven winner whose leadership and culture set the standard, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work, learn and grow with her. Being able to coach and recruit in a dynamic city like Washington, D.C., while developing high-level student-athletes, makes this opportunity even more special. I can't wait to get to work!"
During Baucom's first year with Elon in 2021-22, the Phoenix finished with a 9-9 record in conference action, marking the first time since 2017-18 that the program finished at or above .500 in CAA matchups. Fast forward to Baucom's final season in 2025-26, Elon finished 10-8 in the CAA, achieving the first 10-win conference season in nine years.
Prior to returning to Elon, Baucom spent one season as an assistant with Furman. Baucom helped the Paladins to an 11-14 record, including a mark of 9-1 at home. Before landing her first full-time coaching gig, Baucom was a graduate assistant at NC State, contributing to a program that saw success at the national level. Included in that success was an ACC Tournament Championship in 2022, the program's first in over 30 seasons. The Wolfpack also won five NCAA Tournament games in her two seasons, advancing to the Elite Eight during the '22 campaign.
During her collegiate career, Baucom played in 96 games with Elon, finishing in the top ten in numerous statistical categories all-time. Namely, she finished seventh in career assists with 382, while her 4.0 assists per game average ranked this in program history. She was a CAA All-Tournament selection in her senior season, leading the Phoenix to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2017. The program also made postseason appearances in the WNIT in 2015 and 2016.
Baucom earned two bachelor's degrees while at Elon, one in sports and event management and a second in marketing with a minor in business administration. She earned her master's degree in liberal studies from NC State in 2020.
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