After eight remarkable seasons at the helm of the Nassau Community College Women's Basketball program, head coach Brian Kuar has announced he will be stepping down following the 2024–2025 season. Kuar leaves behind a legacy defined by championship-caliber teams, impactful mentorship, and a culture of excellence both on and off the court.
Since taking over in 2017, Coach Kuar transformed Nassau into a powerhouse in Region XV and a respected name on the national stage. In just five full seasons, he amassed 100+ wins, guiding the Lions to Regional Final Four appearances every season, with Regional Finalist finishes in 2019, 2020, and 2024, and a National Tournament appearance in 2023–2024.
Kuar's 2019–2020 squad reached unprecedented heights, earning a #1 National Ranking, a Top 5 national finish, and securing his selection as Coach of the Year. Renowned for defensive toughness, Nassau ranked #1 in defense multiple seasons under his leadership.
Reflecting on his time with the program, Coach Kuar shared:
"I'm grateful for my time as a head coach! Special thanks to our AD Kerriann McTiernan for giving me the opportunity to prove myself as the head coach of our program! Thank you to my college coach & mentor AJ Wynder for recommending me to be the women's basketball head coach also. I cannot forget the local coaches, alumni & basketball community who helped us build a program by referring the student athletes who became a part of our program. Nassau is an amazing place and great place for all participants to grow a resume and build a solid foundation to start a career in athletics.
Kuar out - Go Lions"
Developing Excellence: A Legacy of Players
Coach Kuar's true legacy lies in the athletes he mentored. Under his guidance, Nassau produced numerous All-Americans, First-Team, and Second-Team Region XV selections, including:
All-Americans:
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Bobbi Green (2018–2019, 2019–2020)
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Frances Brown (2021–2022)
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Aiyana Hamilton (2023–2024) – Region XV Player of the Year
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Kirina Azemar (2024–2025) – National Scoring Leader
First-Team Selections:
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Victoria Mercado (2017–2018)
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Bobbi Green (2018–2020)
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Frances Brown (2021–2022)
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Gemma Pohalski (2021–2022)
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Aiyana Hamilton (2023–2024)
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Kirina Azemar (2024–2025)
Second-Team Selections:
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Kashianna Wynter (2017–2018)
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Cherish Francis (2018–2019)
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Gigi Faison (2019–2020)
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Abby Babatunde (2019–2020)
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Ashley Vigliotti (2021–2023)
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Mia Weinschreider (2022–2023)
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Mia Cheatham (2023–2024)
Program Builders: The Foundation of Nassau's Teams
Kuar's Program Builders, these impact players include:
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Nicole McCann
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Samantha Capobiancos
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Emily Pohalski
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Bri Jones
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Lea Pohalski
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Shyann Parker
A Team Behind the Team
Coach Kuar also expressed gratitude for his dedicated coaching staff. Special thanks go to assistants Andrew Montana, Aliyah McDonald, and Amanda Jiminez, who played key roles in player development, recruiting, and maintaining the competitive edge of the program.
From the Athletic Director
Athletic Director Kerri-ann McTiernan praised Kuar's dedication and legacy:
"Coach Kuar brought heart, discipline, and an unmatched commitment to our women's basketball program. From day one, he embraced the opportunity and made Nassau a destination for student-athletes. His influence will be felt for years to come, not just in the wins but in the lives he's impacted. We're thankful for all he's done for the program and our campus community."
Looking Ahead
Coach Brian Kuar's departure marks the close of a great era in Nassau Women's Basketball history, but the foundation he laid will continue to drive the program forward. His impact — measured in wins, accolades, and, most importantly, lives changed will be felt for years to come.
We thank Coach Kuar for his extraordinary contributions and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his journey.
