Georgetown women’s basketball coach Tasha Butts, 41, dies after battle with breast cancer

Georgetown women’s basketball coach Tasha Butts died Monday after a two-year battle with breast cancer, the school’s athletic director said.

The 41-year-old coach was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in 2021. She stepped away from coaching Georgetown last month. Her diagnosis inspired the Tasha Tough campaign which has brought awareness and raised money to bring quality care to women who can’t afford it through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

The team posted a message Monday on social media with the caption: “Heartbroken.”

“We will be strong and stay #TashaToug,” the message said.

She came to Georgetown from Georgia Tech this past April after a long coaching and professional WNBA career. She joined the Georgia Tech women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach in April 2019, and was promoted to associate head coach two years later.

“I am heartbroken for Tasha’s family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues,” said Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed. “When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory.”

Butts played for legendary coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee from 2000-04, making back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances in 2003 and 2004, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. The team posted a 124-17 record during her career.


Tasha Butts, then a senior guard at Tennessee, during a new conference in Norman, Okla., on March 29, 2004.

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