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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Women's Basketball
Kastantin, Markisha
Markisha Kastantin
- Title:
- Director of Player Personnel
A trusted member of Jennie Baranczyk’s staff, Markisha Kastantin (KASS-ten-teen) enters her third season as an assistant coach and fifth year overall with the Oklahoma women’s basketball program in 2025-26.
Kastantin served as Director of Player Development during Baranczyk’s first two seasons in Norman before being elevated to assistant coach ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, while continuing to oversee player development.
In her second year on the bench, Kastantin helped guide the Sooners to one of their most successful seasons in over a decade. Oklahoma finished 27-8 overall and reached the program’s first Sweet 16 since 2013, posting an 11-5 record in its inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference. She played a key role in the development of All-SEC selections Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst.
During her first season as an assistant in 2023-24, Oklahoma captured the Big 12 regular season title with a 15-3 conference record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed. Kastantin was instrumental in the development of Big 12 Co-Player of the Year Skylar Vann and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Payton Verhulst, contributing to a season that produced four All-Big 12 selections and two All-Americans.
Since joining OU’s staff in 2020, the Sooners have posted three straight 20-win seasons, won two Big 12 championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Across her full coaching career under Baranczyk, which began at Drake in 2015-16, Kastantin has helped guide teams to eight 20-win seasons, six NCAA Tournament berths and five conference titles.
A former standout at Notre Dame, Kastantin (formerly Wright) helped the Fighting Irish to four consecutive Final Fours from 2012 to 2015. She appeared in 138 career games, the 11th-most in program history, and served as a team captain. She was also a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection.
Kastantin began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Drake in 2015 before being promoted to full-time assistant in 2016. Over her six years with the Bulldogs, the program compiled a 144-50 (.742) record. From 2017 to 2019, Drake dominated the Missouri Valley Conference with a 55-1 record in league play and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Notre Dame in 2015 and completed a master’s degree in leadership development at Drake.
Kastantin and her husband, Tyler, reside in Norman with their daughter, Alivia.
THE KASTANTIN FILE
Kastantin served as Director of Player Development during Baranczyk’s first two seasons in Norman before being elevated to assistant coach ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, while continuing to oversee player development.
In her second year on the bench, Kastantin helped guide the Sooners to one of their most successful seasons in over a decade. Oklahoma finished 27-8 overall and reached the program’s first Sweet 16 since 2013, posting an 11-5 record in its inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference. She played a key role in the development of All-SEC selections Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst.
During her first season as an assistant in 2023-24, Oklahoma captured the Big 12 regular season title with a 15-3 conference record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed. Kastantin was instrumental in the development of Big 12 Co-Player of the Year Skylar Vann and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Payton Verhulst, contributing to a season that produced four All-Big 12 selections and two All-Americans.
Since joining OU’s staff in 2020, the Sooners have posted three straight 20-win seasons, won two Big 12 championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Across her full coaching career under Baranczyk, which began at Drake in 2015-16, Kastantin has helped guide teams to eight 20-win seasons, six NCAA Tournament berths and five conference titles.
A former standout at Notre Dame, Kastantin (formerly Wright) helped the Fighting Irish to four consecutive Final Fours from 2012 to 2015. She appeared in 138 career games, the 11th-most in program history, and served as a team captain. She was also a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection.
Kastantin began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Drake in 2015 before being promoted to full-time assistant in 2016. Over her six years with the Bulldogs, the program compiled a 144-50 (.742) record. From 2017 to 2019, Drake dominated the Missouri Valley Conference with a 55-1 record in league play and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Notre Dame in 2015 and completed a master’s degree in leadership development at Drake.
Kastantin and her husband, Tyler, reside in Norman with their daughter, Alivia.
THE KASTANTIN FILE
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Alma Mater: Notre Dame (2015)
COACHING HISTORY
2023-Present: Director of Player Development and Assistant Coach, Oklahoma
2021-23: Director of Player Development , Oklahoma
2016-21: Assistant Coach, Drake
2015-16: Graduate Assistant, Drake
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
• Seven NCAA Tournaments
• 2023, 2024 Big 12 Champions
• 2017-19 MVC Champions
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2012-15: Notre Dame
PLAYING HONORS
• Four Final Four appearances
• 2015 Notre Dame team captain
WBB Highlights: OU 96, Iowa 62
Monday, March 24
WBB Highlights: OU 81, Florida Gulf Coast 58
Saturday, March 22
WBB: March - Where Dreams Become Reality
Friday, March 21
WBB Highlights: OU 69, Kentucky 65
Friday, March 07
