Adair Named to ABIS Women's Basketball Assistant Coaches Watch List
3/13/2026 5:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse University Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach Natasha Adair has been named to the Advancing Beyond in Sports (ABIS) 2025-26 Women's Basketball Assistant Coaches Watch List, the organization announced Friday.
Adair is one of 20 assistant coaches featured on the women's list, which is in its fifth year as a resource for athletic administrators and search firms across the country. ABIS, a non-profit organization founded in September 2020, is dedicated to exploring how sports drive equity, build community, and shape legacy beyond the game.
In her role with the Orange, Adair has been a cornerstone of a Syracuse program that has experienced remarkable growth during her season in the Salt City. She has helped guide the Orange to a 23-8 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC — double the conference win total the program posted before her arrival on campus — positioning Syracuse as a legitimate NCAA Tournament contender.
Her impact on player development has been equally evident. Under Adair's mentorship, freshman center Uche Izoje has blossomed into one of the ACC's premier players, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors while also landing on the All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Defensive Team, and ACC All-Freshman Team. Izoje also set a program record with eight ACC Rookie of the Week selections during the course of the regular season.
"Our committee has robust discussions about the names that make our list," said ABIS Chief Operating Officer Ingrid Wicker McCree. "The hard data we gather on the coaches and the anecdotal data we have about the coaches informs our selections."
The ABIS Coaches Watch List places a particular emphasis on recognizing coaches who are making an impact beyond the spotlight of Division I's Power 4 conferences, while also elevating standout assistants who merit attention at the highest levels of the sport.
Adair joined the Syracuse staff under head coach Felisha Legette-Jack last spring and has played an integral role in building the program's culture and competitive identity. For more information about ABIS and the complete watch list, visit weareabis.org.
Selection Sunday is almost here. The Orange will host a NCAA Tournament Selection Show Watch Party at Apex Entertainment at Destiny USA on Sunday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 8 p.m. on ESPN.Â
For more on the Orange, follow @CuseWBB on social media.Â
