FLORENCE, Ala. (May 6, 2026) – University of North Alabama head women's basketball coach Anna Nimz has announced the addition of P'hariz Watkins to the coaching staff Wednesday morning.
Watkins reunites with Coach Nimz and completes her staff, additionally bringing five years of coaching experience across the collegiate and professional level. Watkins brings both Division I and III coaching experience, along with experience coaching on the international level with Team USA Basketball. Watkins will begin his new position at North Alabama immediately.
"Coach P is a great addition to our family," said Nimz. "He brings great energy and passion for our program and players. He will continue to drive the standard in all areas of his position."
The Dayton, Ohio native recently completed a stint at Oral Roberts University, serving as the Women's Basketball Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development for the 2025-26 season. Watkins help develop five all-conference players with the Golden Eagles while helping guide Oral Roberts to 16 wins.
Watkins got his coaching start in May 2020, serving as a student assistant coach for one season at Heidelburg University. Following the stint, Watkins joined Division I women's basketball powerhouse Tennessee as a graduate assistant coach for the 2023-24 season. He spent two seasons with the Volunteers, initially working at Tennessee in the FellowVol Post-Graduate Fellowship from August 2022 – July 2023.
Watkins was on Nimz's 2024-25 coaching staff as a women's basketball assistant coach at Northwestern State. Watkins helped lead Northwestern State to 16 wins on the season – 12 coming in the Southland Conference. The Demons advanced to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), marking their first postseason appearance since 2015-16.
On the international level, Watkins has been a presence with Team USA Basketball since 2022. He has served on staff at the youth, junior and U17 levels with Team USA, with the highlight coming at the 2024 national team training camp in Las Vegas, Nev.
From 2022-2023, Watkins served in multiple roles ranging from operations to coaching across high school and college. He served as an assistant coach for the Wildcat Select 17U AAU program in Ohio from April – July 2022. He was also an assistant coach for Team Red Scare of the Basketball Tournament (TBT) from July – August 2022.
From December 2022 – April 2023, he served as a Basketball Operations Intern at HBCU All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, La. He was served as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations for HBCU All-Star Weekend in Houston, Texas during the time frame. Watkins was also a Player Development and Camp Coach for the 2023 Jon Scheyer Duke Basketball Camp from June – July 2023.
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join the women's basketball staff at the University of North Alabama," said Watkins. "The chance to be reunited with Coach Nimz makes this even more meaningful! She's an elite leader who sets the standard and truly invests in her players and staff. I'm thankful for her trust and excited to get to work, build genuine relationships, and help create something special here at UNA that the community can be proud of."
A former student-athlete, Watkins played basketball collegiately for Heidelberg University in Ohio and Adrian College in Michigan. He appeared in 86 total games, logging 1,401 minutes, 573 points, 220 rebounds and 129 assists.
Watkins graduated from Heidelberg in May 2021 with a double major in Communications and Sport Management while minoring in Media Technology. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Sport Management from Adrian in December 2022 before receiving his second Master's degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at Tennessee on May 2024.
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