Sandra Abston joined the University of North Alabama women’s basketball staff in April 2024 and enters her second season as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in 2025–26. Head coach Candi Whitaker brought Abston to Florence after the two worked together at Missouri Western State, where Abston served as an assistant during the 2023–24 season. Her prior collegiate coaching experience includes assistant roles at UMKC and North Dakota State, along with three seasons coaching overseas in Stockholm, Sweden, including a stint as head coach of the Fryshuset Basket WU16 team. Her diverse coaching background across Division I, Division II, and international basketball adds valuable perspective to the Lions’ program.
As a player, Abston competed at both the NCAA Division I and II levels. She began her collegiate career at Georgia Tech, helping the Yellow Jackets reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2010–11. She later transferred to George Mason, where she became one of the program’s top perimeter threats, setting a single-game school record with seven three-pointers and finishing her career ranked among the top 15 in program history in made three-pointers. For her final season of eligibility, she transferred to Emporia State, leading the Hornets with 13.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to an MIAA Championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. Internationally, Abston competed professionally in Germany’s top division and represented Sweden’s National Team for seven years, including Euro Cup play and a national championship with 08 Stockholm.
