Tyra Carlsten-Handberg was named as an Executive Assistant for the UCF Women’s Basketball team prior to the 2025-26 season, announced by head coach Sytia Messer.
Carlsten-Handberg comes to UCF as a former collegiate standout, spending the previous two previous seasons as an Assistant Coach at Chadron State College. While there, she displayed leadership as well as versatility in supporting the coaching staff, managing day-to-day operations, and fostering athlete development. She brings a unique blend of on-court experience and administrative knowledge to UCF.
A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Carlsten-Handberg brings a wealth of international playing and coaching experience. Her playing career includes one year at the University of Illinois at Chicago, two and a half years at Toledo, and professional stints in both Sweden and Spain. Transitioning into coaching, she has worked with Sweden Basketball’s U15 women’s national team and is currently participating in FIBA’s prestigious Coaching Certificate course, underscoring her commitment to developing the game at the highest level.
Throughout her four years of collegiate playing experience at both Illinois-Chicago (2016-17) and Toledo (2017-19), Carlsten-Handberg attained a reputation as a reliable and versatile forward. She played 117 career games, starting 59, and contributed across multiple statistical categories. She finished her collegiate career with over 200 points, 160 total rebounds, and nearly 30 blocks, which helped the Rockets capture multiple postseason berths, including two appearances in the WNIT.
She has served in various roles in different companies, helping with social media content creation and also aiding in the success of various youth basketball programs. While in college, she attained multiple academic honors, including Dean’s and President’s list nods, and maintained a 4.0 GPA during her Master’s Program. She later transitioned into athletics administration and coaching support, eager to give back to the sport that shaped her journey.
From 2020 to 2023, Carlsten-Handberg worked and played professionally in Sweden and Spain. She worked as a basketball trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and nutritionist, where she developed individualized programs that combined skill development, fitness, and nutrition. She also coached youth and women’s teams with the Alvik Basketball Club and directed camps for the Swedish Basketball Federation, overseeing logistics and player development.
These roles underscore her commitment to holistic athlete growth and her ability to impact players on and off the court. In her role at UCF, Carlsten-Handberg will provide executive-level support to the Women’s Basketball program. Her responsibilities will include, assisting with our post players and recruiting logistics, serving as a key liaison with athletic department staff, and ensuring the program’s daily operations run efficiently.
Carlsten-Handberg graduated from Toledo in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Management, graduated from Chadron State College with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and she remains passionate about empowering student-athletes to maximize both their competitive and academic potential.