Former Eagle Lisa Zderadicka now an assistant coach in October of 2024.

"Lisa is a great addition. She was a great player for us who really understands the game," coach Smesko said. "Her international contacts and playing experience will really help us expand our international recruiting."

Smesko continues to water the FGCU player-to-coach tree with the addition of Zderadicka. Four of the five assistant coaches under Smesko have been former Eagles. Smesko promoted Sheahen Dowling and hired Keri Jewett-Giles earlier this offseason.

Zderadicka, who was the first two-year graduate transfer in the program's history, had a starring role off the bench during the 2017-18 season. Then, as a senior in 2018-19, she became the team's starting point guard, averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and nearly four assists per contest through 25 games before suffering a season-ending lower-body injury. The ASUN All-Conference selection was a key part of four ASUN championships (regular season and tournament), a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and finished her NCAA career with 1,035 points.

The native of Austria dropped 12 points in a ranked win over DePaul and another 13 points over No. 20 Kentucky. She provided seven points in FGCU's second NCAA Tournament victory over fifth-seeded Missouri to cap a 31-win season.

Zderadicka earned a scholarship to play in the states at Houston Baptist where she spent the first three years of her collegiate career. She earned her degree there in just three years. As a redshirt sophomore, Zderadicka led the Huskies with 11.0 points per contest before landing in Fort Myers.