FLORENCE, Ala. (April 3, 2024) – University of North Alabama head women's basketball coach Candi Whitaker announced an addition to her coaching staff Wednesday, naming Sandra Abston as an assistant coach.
Abston follows Whitaker to Florence after serving one season as her assistant at Missouri Western State. Prior to Missouri Western, Abston served assistant coaching stints at UMKC and North Dakota State. She also coached overseas in Stockholm, Sweden for three seasons, including one as the head coach of the Fryshuset Basket WU16 team.
"I am very excited to have Sandra join me on staff here at UNA," said Whitaker. "Sandra was instrumental in the success we had at Missouri Western last season, and I have no doubt she will do the same here in Florence. She had a fantastic playing career and will impact our post- play and post-skill development right away. She is also a great recruiter with international connections and knows what it takes to succeed at a high level."
Abston played at both the NCAA Division I and II levels, starting her career at Georgia Tech in 2010-11 with a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She spent two seasons at George Mason after that, setting the school record with seven 3-pointers in a game. Overall, her 131 career 3-pointers are currently the 11th most in Patriots history.
Once she graduated from George Mason, Abston used her final year of eligibility to transfer to Emporia State for the 2015-16 season, leading the Hornets with 13.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to a 28-6 record, an MIAA Championship and a Sweet 16 appearance.
Abston also played internationally for TV Saarlouis Royals in the first division in Germany. Ten years prior, Abston was part of the Swedish National Team for seven seasons. She played in the Euro Cup from 2008-10 and became a Swedish National Champion with 08 Stockholm in 2010.
"First off, I want to start by thanking God for his eternal grace and favor; without him I wouldn't be where I am today," said Abston. "I am extremely excited and grateful me, my husband and daughter get to join Coach Whitaker at UNA. She told me this place was special, and I can truly feel every bit of it. She is a fierce competitor who has an incredible basketball mind and heart on top of that, so I am beyond excited I get to continue to support her vision and impact the program and players in any way I can.
"I'm also extremely excited about my family moving to the beautiful city of Florence, and my three-year-old daughter Savannah is beyond excited about Leo the Lion. God is good and Roar Lions!"
Whitaker and Abston will both be introduced to the public and media Thursday during an introductory press conference at 11:30 a.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena. The press conference will be streamed on ESPN+.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
