Texas Tech University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph Cabrera/Texas Tech Athletics
Walters named to the ABIS Basketball Coaches Watchlist
March 13, 2026 | Women's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Associate Head Coach Adrian Walters was named to the 2025-2026 ABIS Basketball Coaches Watchlist, announced by the organization on Friday afternoon.
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The lists will include collegiate and professional sports top men's and women's head and assistant coaches from across the country in multiple sports. This year's lists are recognized by their peers as some of the best in the business. Those nominated are considered to be the year's most deserving, qualified and prepared coaches in college and professional sports to elevate their careers to the next level.
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Walters has helped the Lady Raiders to a 25-7 overall record and a 12-6 record in Big 12 play. The Lady Raiders, who were picked 13th in the preseason Big 12 poll, finished the season tied for fourth in the conference and are poised to make their first NCAA Tournament in 13 years. Texas Tech posted its highest conference finish since the 2012-13 season, its most overall wins since the 2003-04 season and its most Big 12 wins since the 2004-05 season. Walters aided the Lady Raiders to their best start in program history at 19-0 and to a national ranking for the first time since January 2012, spending 11-consecutive weeks in the AP top-25.
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Walters leads the Lady Raider defense, which has become one of the best in the nation this season. Tech averages 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the country, while also holding teams to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 27.1 percent from behind the arc, to check in at 20th and 26th, respectively, in those categories. In addition, Texas Tech holds teams to only 58.1 points per game, which ranks 33rd nationally.
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Averaging almost 10 steals a game and forcing 19.50 turnovers per game, the Lady Raiders are led defensively by Jalynn Bristow, Denae Fritz and Gemma Núñez. Bristow is one of the nation's best rim defenders, posting 68 blocks this year and 2.13 blocks per game, rankings 16th and 17th in those categories. Both Núñez and Fritz are the team's leaders in steals, totaling 67 and 64, respectively, to rank top-7 in the Big 12.
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Texas Tech will await its fate in the NCAA Tournament with the Selection Show this Sunday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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The lists will include collegiate and professional sports top men's and women's head and assistant coaches from across the country in multiple sports. This year's lists are recognized by their peers as some of the best in the business. Those nominated are considered to be the year's most deserving, qualified and prepared coaches in college and professional sports to elevate their careers to the next level.
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Walters has helped the Lady Raiders to a 25-7 overall record and a 12-6 record in Big 12 play. The Lady Raiders, who were picked 13th in the preseason Big 12 poll, finished the season tied for fourth in the conference and are poised to make their first NCAA Tournament in 13 years. Texas Tech posted its highest conference finish since the 2012-13 season, its most overall wins since the 2003-04 season and its most Big 12 wins since the 2004-05 season. Walters aided the Lady Raiders to their best start in program history at 19-0 and to a national ranking for the first time since January 2012, spending 11-consecutive weeks in the AP top-25.
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Walters leads the Lady Raider defense, which has become one of the best in the nation this season. Tech averages 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the country, while also holding teams to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 27.1 percent from behind the arc, to check in at 20th and 26th, respectively, in those categories. In addition, Texas Tech holds teams to only 58.1 points per game, which ranks 33rd nationally.
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Averaging almost 10 steals a game and forcing 19.50 turnovers per game, the Lady Raiders are led defensively by Jalynn Bristow, Denae Fritz and Gemma Núñez. Bristow is one of the nation's best rim defenders, posting 68 blocks this year and 2.13 blocks per game, rankings 16th and 17th in those categories. Both Núñez and Fritz are the team's leaders in steals, totaling 67 and 64, respectively, to rank top-7 in the Big 12.
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Texas Tech will await its fate in the NCAA Tournament with the Selection Show this Sunday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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