Amber Raisner, a 2018 graduate of West Hartford’s Hall High School, was announced Thursday as a member of the WBCA’s ‘Thirty Under 30.’

By Ronni Newton

A 2018 Hall High School graduate who earned accolades as a high school and college scholar-athlete has now been named to the Women’s Basketball Coach’s Association’s “Thirty Under 30” Class of 2025.

West Hartford native Amber Raisner, currently an assistant coach for the Yale University women’s basketball team, was announced as an honoree on Thursday, according to a spokesperson from Yale.

The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program, now in its 10th year, recognizes up-and-coming coaches at all levels, with criteria that includes “community service involvement, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner and attitude, and professional association involvement,” the announcement states.

“Amber has been a part of my staff for the past three seasons, and she has always impressed me by being so young while also maintaining such a high level of professionalism,” Dalia Eshe Yale’s Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, said in a statement. “She goes above and beyond with her work and is willing to do any job asked of her. Nothing is ever too big or small.”

Amber Raisner. Courtesy of Yale Women’s Basketball

In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities at Yale, Raisner is involved with a variety of other coaching organizations and programs. She collaborates with other college coaches through the WBCA Mentoring Program, meeting with the through Zoom every other month. As a member of the WeCoach Program, she meets monthly with a cohort of coaches across multiple sports including basketball, lacrosse, and soccer) and is also a member of the Jewish Coaches Association and involved in the Maccabiah Games, the WBCA announcement states.

“Mentorship and relationship building has always been a priority for Amber within coaching, and she does an incredible job of mentoring her position players,” said Eshe. “She understands how impactful coaches are in young people’s lives and makes it a priority to help her position players in all aspects on and off the court. She never misses a moment to be in-tune with her players and makes sure to be present when they need her.”

Since Raisner joined the Yale women’s basketball coaching staff in 2022, players have been recognized with numerous honors, including three All-Ivy League selections (one second team, two honorable mention), an Ivy League Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and a top-10 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the best point guard in the country. During the past three season, Yale also had seven CSC Academic All-District selections.

At Hall, Raisner was a four-time All-Central Connecticut Conference selection. As a senior she earned All-Hartford Courant honors, was named a CHSCA Scholar-Athlete, and helped lead the Hall girls basketball team to the finals of the CIAC Class LL State Championship.

She continued as a scholar-athlete in college, leading the Union team in scoring for two seasons and in assists for one season. AS a senior she was recognized as honorable mention All-Liberty League, and earned Union’s Award for Academic Excellence, presented to a senior student-athlete for outstanding performance in the classroom. She graduated from Union in 2022 with a B.S. in neuroscience.

Amber Raisner finished with seven points in her last game as a Warrior. Hall vs. Mercy Class LL girls basketball championship. Mohegan Sun Arena. March 17, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

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