Former ASU Athlete Honored with Jersey Retirement Ceremony

TEMPE, Ariz.- Former Arizona State University women's basketball player and assistant coach Briann January had her number 20 jersey retired to the rafters at the Sun Devils Women’s Basketball game on Friday, Nov. 12th, 2021.

During January’s time at Arizona State University, January took great pride in being part of a team and the culture of the women’s basketball program. “When Briann spoke to the girls in the locker room, of course, she said I wouldn’t be anything without my teammates,” said Charli Turner Thorne, the head coach of the Sun Devils Women’s Basketball team. “Briann said I never thought I’d do all of this; it’s all because of my teammates.”

When talking about the impact Arizona State University had on January, she had great admiration for the people she had encountered. “The people I met here while I was at ASU really impacted my life and I really attribute a lot of my success with the road that those people set. Every one of them directed me, encouraged me, challenged me, and it got me to this point where I’m at right now,” said January.

Sun Devil’s senior Taya Hanson had the opportunity to be coached by January when she coached the team in the off-season of 2017. “Briann continually talks about how it wasn’t just her; it was a team effort and that is what we really want to be this year is not just a bunch of individuals but be able to come together and take games like today because we are a strong unit.”

During the jersey retirement ceremony, January brought her parents, sister, aunt, and wife out to watch the jersey go up into the rafters. January and her family were emotional as they looked up into the rafters at the number 20 jersey. The jersey retirement was a historic event for the Sun Devils program and for January as an individual who has dedicated her life to the game. “Honestly, my whole life, I wanted my work to speak for me. And I take pride in the work and preparation I put in every time I step on this court. To be at a point now where I step back and separate and see all of the work that I have put into this game that I love and to be recognized amongst the best to do it, it’s amazing. It’s one of those moments where you know it is all worth it,” said January.

January has made an impact as a player but even more so as a coach to senior Taya Hanson. “She was a phenomenal player, but an even better person and I was so fortunate to be coached by her,” said Hanson. “The legacy she left behind here is the thing that is unforgettable.”

After January graduated in 2009, she was drafted to the WNBA by the Indiana Fever in the first round, being the sixth pick overall. In January’s 13-year professional career, she has played for several WNBA teams, including the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Sun and overseas teams in Turkey, Israel and Hungary. According to Her Hoop Stats, January is an unrestricted free agent in 2022.