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SPORTS Friday 18 OctOber 2019
Women impacting NBA in various roles, 11 assistant coaches

By KYLE HIGHTOWER Jenny Boucek as an as-
AP Sports Writer sistant in 2017; and the
Practice is over and Bos- Sacramento Kings hired
ton Celtics assistant coach three women as assistants
Kara Lawson is still working. (Lieberman, Boucek and
She stands under the bas- Lindsay Harding).
ket rebounding, giving The BIG3, spearheaded by
feedback to rookie guard founder and entertainer
Carsen Edwards as he Ice Cube, is helping to nor-
shoots from different spots malize the idea of women
on the court. After swishing leading men, Lieberman
his final three attempts, he said.
jogs over to her. "I remember Donnie did
"Thanks coach," Edwards an interview and he said,
says before exchanging a 'Maybe the best man for
high-five with Lawson. the job isn't a man at all.'
Welcome to the new-look He had a list of criteria he
NBA, in which women are wanted to hit for his head
impacting every aspect of coach. And I hit those," Li-
the game — from broad- eberman said.
casting booths, officiating, The women garner respect
coaching on the sidelines, from players for their ex-
front-office executives to perience and basketball
ownership. knowledge. In this July 1, 2019, file photo, Boston Celtics assistant coach Kara Lawson passes the ball at the
Lawson is one of a record Celtics guard Gordon Hay- team's training facility in Boston.
11 women serving as as- ward said Lawson, a for- Associated Press
sistant coaches in the NBA mer star at Tennessee and Jackson said he always
this season. Former WNBA in the WNBA, has already expected to benefit from
star Swin Cash, along with made her presence felt. Cash, a senior executive,
Seattle Storm star Sue Bird, "She's been good as far and Naismith Hall of Famer
are working in NBA front of- as just the experience she Teresa Weatherspoon, who
fices. has as a basketball play- was recently hired as an as-
"It's not a fad," said Basket- er," Hayward said. "Read- sistant this season.
ball Hall of Famer Nancy ing the game and kind of Cash won two NCAA titles
Lieberman. "It's opportu- little things she sees coach- at Connecticut in 2000 and
nities going to very ac- ing on the sideline. Having 2002 and finished her 15-
complished women who somebody that well-versed year WNBA career at the
have given their life to the in basketball, that experi- New York Liberty, where
game." ence is good." she became an execu- In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo, boxer Claressa Shields,
While it may not be a fad, it Wizards assistant Kristi Toli- tive. Weatherspoon won left, poses; and soccer star Megan Rapinoe poses for photos on
the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual
is a recent trend. ver helped the Washington an NCAA title at Louisi- Salute to Women in Sports in New York.
Lieberman remembers a Mystics win their first WNBA ana Tech in 1988 and was Associated Press
time when the presence of championship this month. the demanding star point
women was hard to spot or On the sideline, Washington guard in the first seven sea- Soccer star Rapinoe,
at best found only behind NBA All-Stars John Wall and sons for Liberty from 1997-
the scenes. Bradley Beal were wearing 2003. She spent the last five
The 61-year-old — who has the Wizard assistant's WNBA years as the Liberty director boxer Shields win
broken barriers as a play- jersey and dancing from of player development.
er, a coach in the WNBA, the stands . "They were ballers," Jack- sportswomen of year
head coach in NBA G "The biggest thing I learned son said. "They were good
League and assistant in the is to share your voice and at their craft and I've taken
NBA — learned quickly that what you've learned," To- a lot from both of them. ... By The Associated Press Capitals and recent WNBA
building relationships was liver said. "Doing that has I've always had open eyes Soccer star Megan Rapi- champion Mystics, won the
key to erasing gender hur- helped me communicate and open ears to anyone noe and boxer Claressa Billie Jean King Leadership
dles and opening oppor- with my guys." who plays this game." Shields have been hon- Award. Marta Vieira da
tunities in the league. That, Toliver is in a unique salary The 21-year-old Jackson ored as Sportswomen of Silva, star of the Brazilian
along with an occasional situation since she coaches knows of the women's tal- the Year by the Women's national soccer team, won
assist from forward thinking for the Wizards and plays for ents because he has wit- Sports Foundation. the Wilma Rudolph Cour-
men like former coach Don the Mystics — both owned nessed them firsthand. And They won in the team and age Award.
Nelson, who in 2009 hired by same franchise. She was he is not alone. The WNBA individual categories, the Rapinoe thanked her
her as the head coach of only paid about $10,000 has been around since awards coming at the teammates Wednesday
the Texas Legends, the Dal- with the Wizards last year most players were teenag- foundation's 40th annual night and lauded Marta, a
las Mavericks' G League af- because of WNBA salary ers or younger, starting its Salute to Women in Sports. six-time FIFA Player of the
filiate. cap rules. WNBA teams first season in 1997. Rapinoe led the U.S. to Year, calling the Brazilian
Several have continued can only pay all their play- "As the years go on, they're victory at the World Cup the greatest of all time and
Nelson's vision, including ers a combined $50,000 in going to get more and in France and earned the an "absolute hero in our
San Antonio Spurs Gregg the offseason to supple- more recognition," said FIFA Player of the Year sport."
Popovich, who made ment pay and Washington Jackson, in his third year award. Shields is a two-time John Burke, president of
Becky Hammon the NBA's only had $10,000 left to pay out of Duke. "Girls can Olympic gold medalist and the Trek Bicycle compa-
first full-time assistant in Toliver. There are no such hoop, too. ... I just think as middleweight champion. ny, received the inaugu-
2014; current Mavericks' hiccups in New Orleans, times change, you'll see Sheila Johnson, part-owner ral Champion for Equality
coach Rick Carlisle hired where Pelicans guard Frank more and more."q of the Washington Wizards, Award.q