SPOKANE, Wash. – After a three-year Gonzaga and 16-year pro career, J.P. Batista came home to Gonzaga again as a graduate assistant for the men’s team, but now, he takes on a bigger role with the women’s side.
Batista is the newest Head Coach of Strength and Conditioning, running the program starting this fall.
“Playing for Gonzaga, and… it’s full circle, man,” Batista said. “Just 20 years later, coming back. I was always super curious about performance, how to extend my career, always super diligent with my nutrition, so I always had a passion for that side of the sport.”
The Brazilian international spoke further on the different approach with training female athletes, but with the same goal in mind.
“They are more susceptible to ACL injuries, so we have to put a big focus on lower-body strength,” Batista said. “But at the same time, I’m going to help them get stronger, get faster, just as much as I did with the men’s.”
Batista and the Zags begin their 2025-26 season this fall.
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