Former Rutgers guard Tasha Pointer, one of the greatest players to don a Scarlet Knights uniform, begins her fifth season as an assistant coach at her alma mater.
The Chicago, Ill. native returned to Piscataway in 2007 and hit the ground running, helping to bring in a recruiting class ranked No. 3 nationally with all five players appearing in the top-25 individually. Since arriving back “On the Banks,” Pointer has been instrumental in helping the Scarlet Knights secure a number of nationally ranked recruiting classes, including the 2011 group with was rated the third-best in the country by ESPNU HoopGurlz.
Pointer is involved in all aspects of the Rutgers program, and has mentored Scarlet Knight guards and posts such as current WNBA players Epiphanny Prince, Matee Ajavon, Essence Carson, and Kia Vaughn. An outstanding guard in her own right, Pointer provides unique perspective as someone who has excelled on the highest levels.
During her time at RU, the Scarlet Knights have extended their streak of consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including the previous four in which Pointer was on the staff. The squad advanced to the Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and second round in three of the four seasons.
Prior to her arrival at Rutgers, Pointer spent a year on staff at Xavier University helping lead the Musketeers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. XU finished the season with a 26-9 record, tying for the second-most wins in school history, and also winning its third Atlantic 10 title.
Pointer began her coaching career at Columbia University (2004-06), coordinating all of the Lions’ recruiting efforts. She also worked with the perimeter players for two seasons, helping to develop their talents on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
Pointer also has worked with Organization Affiliate for Athletes in Action. During her tenure with AIA, Pointer traveled to Nigeria to play in exhibition games against top collegiate basketball programs, as well as serving as a motivational speaker.
As a junior captain, Pointer led the Scarlet Knights to their first-ever Final Four appearance in 2000. She earned a number of accolades during her stay at RU, including the 1998 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year award and league first team honors twice.
In 2001, Pointer was also tabbed an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention. Pointer was named to two NCAA All-Tournament Teams, selected to the 1999 Midwest Region and the 2000 West Region squad. In 2003, Pointer was named to the BIG EAST 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Team.
Pointer holds the Rutgers’ all-time - men’s and women’s - assists and steals records with 839 assists and 292 steals. In addition, she scored 1,456 points in her decorated career. The talented point guard recorded the first triple-double in Rutgers basketball history -men’s and women’s- on Jan. 10, 2001. Pointer registered four triple-doubles in her illustrious collegiate career, the most in BIG EAST history.
Pointer earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass media from RU and graduated with her master’s degree in education administration and supervision in 2003, also from Rutgers.
Her accomplishments on the court were duly noted in 2008 when she was inducted into the Rutgers Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Pointer is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the Black Coaches Association (BCA), where she was a 2009 ACE program participant.
Pointer is married to Kwabena Yamoah. The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter, Nariah this past April.
