On Feb. 8 after the women’s basketball Battle of I-10 between UTEP and New Mexico State University concluded, the night ended with the honoring of current assistant coach and former Miner, Jareica Hughes.
Coming from her hometown of Southfield, Mich., Hughes always played basketball with passion and strived to leave everything out on the court. After graduating from Southfield-Lathrup High School, Hughes committed her talents to UTEP in 2006.
Hughes played as a point guard during her time at UTEP from 2006-2010. From her first year Hughes displayed her talent and hard work on the court, being named Conference USA ‘s freshman of the year in 2007 and then receiving Conference USA’s Player of the Year during her sophomore year in 2008 and junior year in 2009.
Hughes still holds numerous school records for the university, being first in career assists (599), steals (277), minutes played (3,777), second in points made (1,555), made free throws (359), games started (114), third in all-time field goals made (527) and fourth in three-pointers made (142).
After graduating from UTEP with a degree in criminal justice, Hughes pursued coaching with her former middle school and high school in Lathrup Village, Mich.
Hughes eventually came back to her college alma mater in May 2023 as an assistant coach under the direction of Head Coach Keitha Adams, who was Hughes’ coach during her time as a student athlete.
“It’s amazing to be here with the coaching staff that coached me and be back in my alma mater because El Paso, since getting here in 2006, has been my second home and I’ve been blessed,” Hughes said.
In the summer of 2024, during her current time as an assistant coach for UTEP, Hughes was inducted into the CUSA Hall of Fame. With this great honor, Hughes was the first ever women’s basketball player from UTEP to be inducted into the CUSA Hall of Fame.
As a result of her career achievements and accolades, Hughes’ No. 3 jersey has fittingly been retired and will hang from the rafters of the Don Haskins Center.
Even after the ceremony, Hughes said she still feels admiration for the commemoration.
“There’s no other feeling that I’ve had ever in life and I’m still feeling like I’m on that cloud on that all time high and just being able to see that number three in the rafters, it’s an amazing feeling,” Hughes said.
Hughes number three jersey will be hung in the Don Haskins Center rafters alongside other all-time greats, such as Kayla Thornton, Gloria Estrada and Be Stoney.
Joseph Montero is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected].
