By: Shane Laflin
We have some big news coming out of the DMV in the girls’ high school basketball world…
Tamika Dudley, who has been the Head Coach at Sidwell Friends since 2020, has decided to take over the brand-new St. James Academy program as they begin play in the 2025-26 season. The Academy will have teams at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Tamika will be the Head Coach of the Varsity team and oversee all of the scholastic teams.
Her responsibilities will also include being the lead of all on-court girls’ basketball programming: skill development and training, off season camps and clinics, and directing the club teams (spring/summer).
As she segues into this new role, Coach Dudley will still coach the Sidwell Friends’ squad at the upcoming The Throne high school post season tournament (they will be referred to as “Quakers” at the event).
She will also continue to coach Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer.
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I have been able to visit with Coach Dudley discussing this opportunity and the changing landscape of women’s basketball – from grassroots and high school all the way to the professional level.
We are both big believers that we are moving towards an academy model in regards to elite development in this country and it looks like the St. James is going to be a frontrunner in investing in that future. They have found an experienced and excellent leader to do so. The St. James Academy will engineer a competitive national schedule for its varsity team.
Tamika shared her thoughts with me –
“This new journey is exciting, but it’s also bittersweet. Six years ago, I stepped into a program that had never been recognized on a national level for girls’ basketball. Through hard work, dedication, and the support of incredible players, parents, and coaches, we built something truly special. Now, I walk away from a program built on blood, sweat, and tears—but more importantly, I leave behind a remarkable group of girls who have become family, which makes this decision the hardest of all.
I believe the St. James Sports Performance Academy has the potential to be a game-changer for the DMV. With the support, time, and opportunity to impact more lives, I’m excited to immerse myself even deeper in the grassroots basketball space. I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity ahead.”
Coach Dudley leaves behind an indelible history at Sidwell Friends School, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country located in Washington, DC.
Coach Dudley has quite the decorated resume from her time at Sidwell:
- Three-time DCSAA Coach of the Year, (led Sidwell to three DCSAA Championships)
- Two-time ISL Coach of the Year
- USA Today National Coach of the Year
- Naismith Coach of the Year
- 2021-2022 National Champions (30-0 record)
- 2024 Nike Hoop Summit Coach
Coach Dudley played at Long Island University from 1999-2003 and she graduated as the all-time leader in six statistical categories – being recognized as one of the best players in the program’s history. She was named 01-02 NEC Player of the year and was named NEC All-Tournament three times, including the MVP the year they won the Conference Championship (00-01 as the first NCAA Tournament berth in their program’s history).
The following players were named McDonald’s All-Americans under Dudley at Sidwell:
- Kiki Rice – UCLA (2022)
- Jadyn Donovan – Duke (2023)
- Kendall Dudley – UCLA (2024)
- Zania Socka-Nguemen – UCLA (2024)
This move by Tamika Dudley and The St. James organization has the potential to impact not just basketball in the DMV, but the entire country. As evidenced by the above, Coach Dudley is an elite force when it comes to the sidelines – and she has been at the foundation of building programs into excellence her entire career.
Look for this to be a major catalyst as the high school game gets elevated throughout the country and more programs seek out elite level events and competition and brands look to sponsor such prestigious events and opportunities.