Celeste Taylor Joins Grand Canyon Women’s Basketball as Assistant Coach, Eyes 2026 WNBA Return

Winston Gandy Images Nick Macdonald

Former WNBA guard Celeste Taylor is entering a new chapter in her basketball career. After a whirlwind rookie season and a lingering foot injury, Taylor has accepted a position as an assistant coach with Grand Canyon University’s women’s basketball team. She confirmed the move in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, June 3. Taylor, who starred at Texas, Duke, and Ohio State during her college career, was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Though originally drafted by Indiana, Taylor played the majority of her rookie season with the Phoenix Mercury, appearing in 15 games. She averaged 2.6 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game. Despite flashes of defensive brilliance, Taylor’s first professional season was disrupted by injury. She suffered a foot injury while playing overseas for the Sydney Flames in Australia’s WNBL. Although she attempted a comeback with the Mercury during training camp, she was only cleared to participate in the final preseason game. Ultimately, she was waived during the final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. There have been teams who wanted me to come back this season,” Taylor told ESPN, “but for me, it’s about getting healthy and doing what’s right for my body. Taylor plans to sit out the 2025 season while recovering, with hopes of returning to the WNBA in 2026.

While healing, Taylor is turning her attention to coaching—a long-term aspiration of hers. She will reunite with former Duke assistant coach Winston Gandy, who was recently named head coach at Grand Canyon University after serving on Dawn Staley’s staff at South Carolina. Gandy inherits a surging GCU program that achieved a school-record 30-game win streak last season and made its first NCAA Division I tournament appearance. When the opportunity presented itself, it honestly worked out perfectly with timing and everything,” Taylor said. “To give back to younger kids and be in that leadership role—it was a no-brainer to take it.

Taylor’s role at GCU gives her a chance to build coaching experience while mentoring student-athletes—something she has enjoyed since her own college playing days. She noted that the non-linear path of her basketball journey, full of “ups and downs,” has helped shape her into the leader she is today. In a sport where resilience is often as valuable as talent, Taylor’s pivot to coaching exemplifies her adaptability and long-term vision. With a full recovery in mind and a WNBA return on the horizon, her story continues to evolve on and off the court.