This resume speaks volumes about Lieberman’s basketball prowess and her determination, but how will this play into the Kings’ ambiguous fortunes as the 2015-16 season looms? “George [Karl] and I talked about bringing her back after she helped us at Summer League”.
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She brings a decorated resume to the Kings and Northern California. “I think it is a nice opportunity for her”.
Lieberman was one of the original players in the WNBA, coming out of retirement in 1997 at age 39 and getting drafted by the Phoenix Mercury for the league’s inaugural season.
The former professional basketball player and coach is regarded as one of the greatest figures in women’s basketball.
Ten years later, she became the first woman to suit up for a men’s pro basketball league (USBL).
Lieberman, who has been enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, may be even more qualified for a position when Hammon was when the latter was hired.
As the WNBA’s oldest player, she set another first on July 24, 2008 when she returned to play one game for the Detroit Shock at age 50.
Lieberman has had experience coaching men.
The Kings are following the Spurs’ mannequin in hiring Lieberman following San Antonio’s success with Hammon.
Before Friday’s announcement, The Sacramento Bee reported Thursday that Kings Vice President Vlade Divac has high interest in adding Lieberman in their coaching staff.
This all comes on the heels of the Arizona Cardinals making Jen Welter the first female assistant coach in the history of the National Football League earlier this week. She earned an Olympic silver medal with the United States in 1976. The Legends are an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks and are a member of the NBA’s D-League. Her most recent job was as a studio analyst for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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“If you can have a Becky Hammon or a Nancy Lieberman, or somebody that they respect, and they reach out to, then that is going to be really important in the mix”, she told Slate’s Emma Zehner.
