California Irvine Athletics

IRVINE, Calif. – A familiar face is returning to the UC Irvine women's basketball staff as Nisma Ali has been hired as the program's Director of Administration.

Ali was in the same role when the Anteaters won the Big West Championship in 2023-24, and their first Big West regular-season title in 2022-23.
 
"I am excited to welcome Nisma back to our program," head coach Tamara Inoue said. "She brings a sharp business mind, a big heart for our players, and a constant willingness to give back to the community. She plays a huge role behind the scenes, so please help me give her a warm welcome back!"
 
Ali has also been a statistician for the UCI men's and women's basketball programs over the last 11 seasons. She was previously a junior varsity coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and assisted the varsity head coach, Matthew Houser, in 2015 when the Eagles won a CIF title. In addition, Ali recruited players and created the first Freshman Girls' Basketball team at the school.
 
Outside of basketball, Ali has worked as a managing director at a wealth management accounting firm in Irvine since 2015. She is responsible for managing bank reconciliations, analysis of financials, and preparing budgets for high-net-worth clients. Ali has also created and maintained cash flow analysis, balance sheets, and income statements worth over $300 million. In 2022, she started her own crepe catering business, Crepe Lily. 
 
Ali played basketball at Orange Coast College. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in business administration from Cal State Fullerton and her master's in business administration from Pepperdine.