Washington’s women’s basketball program announced a significant addition to its coaching staff this week, naming Tasha Brown as an assistant coach whose focus will be on peak performance.
A Champion’s Vision for the Huskies
During eight seasons at UCLA, Brown was part of a staff that captured the program’s first national championship last year. She also created the “Mind Gym”, a mental conditioning program that runs alongside physical workouts, and she oversaw a shooting development system that produced 2026 WNBA draft picks Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez.
Before joining Washington, Brown spent the 2017‑18 season as an assistant at Rice University under current head coach Tina Langley, giving her a direct link to the Huskies’ leadership.
What This Means for the Upcoming Season
The Huskies return two of their top shooters, guards Avery Howell and Sayvia Sellers, but last season they ranked near the bottom in three‑point percentage, a gap that Brown’s expertise is expected to close.
With the transfer portal reshaping rosters, none of Washington’s incoming transfers shot above 33.9 percent from beyond the arc, making Brown’s arrival a pivotal factor in the team’s championship aspirations. Langley praised her mentorship, highlighting a commitment to developing young women both on and off the court.
The program’s recent rise, reflected in a No. 11 ranking by The Athletic, positions the Huskies to contend as they reload after UCLA’s own offseason moves.