| ATLANTA – One of the most decorated figures in LC State Women’s Basketball history added to her impressive resume on Wednesday when Warrior great Caelyn Orlandi was named to the WBCA Thirty Under 30 class of 2024-25.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award from the WBCA,” Orlandi said. “The WBCA continues to elevate the women’s game and provide wonderful opportunities for current players and coaches and those looking to become coaches. A big thank you to my assistant Coach, Cali (Moore). Behind every successful program is an excellent assistant coach and Cali is a huge part of LC State Women’s basketball. She is a fantastic assistant coach and helps me run this program in the best way that we possibly can. We had the best base line out of bounce defense in the country this year and Cali was the one teaching it and scouting it.”
Orlandi, who completed her second season as the head coach of LC State Women’s Basketball in 2024-25, served as the team’s assistant and associate head coach for six years after a storied playing career. The Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, native was named the 2023 WBCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year in the same year she was inducted into the LC State Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2016-17 NAIA National Runner-Up team she played a key role on will be inducted in April.
“Another thank you to my team,” Orlandi said. “Thank you for letting me grow with you, learn from you and lead you. A great coach is only great because of their players, and I know we have some of the best. The tradition of Warrior Women’s Basketball is so special. Our teams have excellent basketball players, but even better people and this season was no different. Our team represented Warrior Women’s Basketball exactly as intended and I am proud to be a part of their journey and proud of who they are.”
Under Orlandi, the Warrior women tallied back-to-back 26-win seasons and advanced to the NAIA Second Round in both years. She holds a record of 52-13 in two seasons at the helm.
Dating back to her years as an assistant coach, LC State has appeared in the national tournament in seven straight seasons. As a head coach and assistant coach, she has coached three conference Players of the Year, one Freshman of the Year and one Defender of the Year. She has coached 27 all-conference selections.
“Basketball truly is the best game and the passion I have for this sport is extremely high,” Orlandi added. “The game winners, the huge defensive stops and the big blocked shots are all big components of what this is about, but the best part is being a part of a team. I will continue to strive to create the best experience possible for our student-athletes, provide them an environment where they can learn and grow, and plan to win a lot of games along the way.”
A graduate of Lewis-Clark State College in 2017, Orlandi was a two-time NAIA All-American guard, which includes first-team status her senior season – a season during which the Warriors finished 35-2 and second in the nation. She finished the season leading the NAIA in total assists (261), assists per game (7.05) and assist to turnover ratio (3.6:1). She broke the school record for most assists during a season and in a career (634). She averaged in double figures scoring all four seasons and 13.1 points per game in her career.
Orlandi finished her career with 1,766 points, which ranks fifth on the LCSC all-time scoring list. Her 13.1 points-per-game-average is fourth on the all-time list, and her 622 total field goals are fifth. She made 199 3-pointers (sixth all-time), 323 free throws (seventh all-time), and shot 84.8 percent at the free-throw line (third all-time). As well as leaving her mark on the court, Orlandi was feted for her work in the classroom. She earned both Frontier Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete distinction both her junior and senior seasons. She graduated in 2017 with a degree in Exercise Science.
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