Sandra Abston Returns as Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach
3/30/2026 1:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Abston has been with Whitaker for the past three seasons and coached the Roos as an assistant from 2022-23
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Mar. 30, 2026) – Head Coach Candi Whitaker has begun the process of building out her coaching staff by hiring former Roos assistant coach Sandra Abston, as announced today. Abston brings nearly a decade of coaching experience to Kansas City's sideline and has spent the last five seasons coaching as an assistant at the Division I level.
"I'm privileged to have Coach Sandra Abston with me on multiple coaching staff over the last three years and continue to be impressed by her loyalty and commitment to helping build winning programs," Whitaker said. "She is an elite recruiter with extensive international ties stemming from both her playing and coaching careers. Sandra knows what it takes to compete and win at a high level and I know our players will love learning from her."
In her new role with the Roos, Abston will handle a multitude of tasks revolving around international recruiting, player development, practice planning and scouting.
"I'm excited to return to University of Missouri–Kansas City and the Kansas City community, a place that already feels like home after having worked there previously," Abston said. "The opportunity to come back and contribute under Candi's leadership, while continuing to grow both personally and professionally, is truly meaningful to me. I'm excited to be surrounded by the amazing people within the Kansas City athletic department, in a region that values the game of basketball. In addition, it is a blessing to be able to coach and compete in a respected conference known for its high-IQ basketball. I look forward to building relationships, developing student-athletes, and being part of something special."
Abston follows Whitaker from her prior coaching stop at North Alabama. This past year, the pair helped steer the program to a 17-win season, marking the Lions first above-.500 campaign since 2019-20 and the school's second-ever winning season at the Division I level. Abston was with Whitaker during both years with the Lions, from 2024-26.
Mixed into Abston's time at UNA was a return to her roots. The Stockholm, Sweden native spent a summer as the Associate Head Coach of the U18 Swedish National Team, winning the 2025 European Championship.
In the 2023-24 campaign, Abston was a member of Whitaker's staff at Missouri Western State. Abston was a critical piece of the Griffons' success, helping the team compile a record of 25-6, capturing an MIAA Regular Season Championship and earning the program's second trip to the NCAA DII Tournament in three seasons.
Whitaker won't be the only one on her staff with prior coaching experience at Kansas City as Abston served as an assistant with the Roos in 2022-23. That season, Kansas City made a historic postseason run, claiming victories over #7 Denver and #2 North Dakota State to become the first 10-seed in conference history to make the Summit League Semifinals. In addition, Abston helped lead E'Lease Stafford to Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention All-League honors, and Manna Mensah to All-Tournament Team honors.
Abston's time with Kansas City wasn't her first coaching in the Summit League as she spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at North Dakota State. In her single season in Fargo, she helped aid the Bison to a sixth-place finish in the Summit League standings.
Prior to her time in North Dakota, Abston began her coaching career in her home country of Sweden. She began as the head coach of the Fryshuset Basket Girls' U17 First Division team, leading six players to Swedish National Team Invitations. Her success was recognized and she was brought up as an assistant coach for the Fryshuset Basket Women's Division I team, where she spent two years.
Abston enjoyed a successful playing career as well, playing collegiate ball at Georgia Tech, George Mason and Emporia State. During her time at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She owns the George Mason single-game three-point record (7), and is 11th in the Patriots' all-time three-pointers list (131). In her final season at Emporia State, she averaged 13.0 points and 5.9 rebounds, leading the Hornets to a NCAA DII Sweet 16 berth.
After her collegiate career, Abston played professionally in Germany for Tv Saarlouis Royals. She was also a member of the Swedish National Team from 2007-13, and won a Swedish National Championship with 08 Stockholm in 2010.
