University of Missouri-Kansas City Women's Basketball

Candi Whitaker returns as the head coach of Kansas City Women's Basketball, as was announced on Mar. 11, 2026. The 18-year head coaching veteran returns to f...

Chayla Cheadle joins Head Coach Candi Whitaker on the sidelines for the 2026-27 season, as announced on Mar. 30, 2026. Cheadle is a Columbia, Mo. native, a former University of Kansas standout and served as a high school girls basketball head coach at Blue Valley Northwest, giving her a strong reputation and wealth of connections throughout the region. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Coach Chayla Cheadle back to an area that means so much to her," Whitaker said. "There is no question she is going to continue to develop and thrive as a young up-and-coming coach because of her ability to connect with people and build strong relationships. Chayla is highly organized and brings fantastic energy to recruiting. She is someone who will instantly connect with our student-athletes and fan base." As an assistant coach with the Roos, Cheadle will oversee and coordinate all things recruiting, especially on the local level in Kansas City. Cheadle's deep midwest recruiting footprint will be paramount in the Roos' roster building process for next season and beyond. "I chose to work at Kansas City because this is home to me, and the opportunity to be closer to my family and my roots was something I couldn't pass up," Cheadle said. "Having spent part of my childhood here, Kansas City has played a meaningful role in shaping who I am. Over the years, I've built strong connections within the community and had the chance to coach at the high school level locally, which gave me a de

Jon Lewis, a five-time Heart of America Conference Coach of the Year recipient, was named Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach on Mar. 30, 2026. Lewis com...

Head Coach Candi Whitaker brought in former Roos assistant coach Sandra Abston on Mar. 30, 2026. Abston brings nearly a decade of coaching experience to Kansas City's sideline and was an assistant coach for Kansas City during the 2022-23 season. "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 relationship