Hoops History For North Texan
Nancy Lieberman will coach NBA D-League team.
By ERIC KREINDLER
Updated 12:39 PM CST, Fri, Nov 6, 2009
North Texas basketball legend Nancy Lieberman will be the first woman to coach a men's professional basketball team.
On Thursday, Lieberman was named the head coach of the Frisco Developmental League team which will begin league play next November.
"In 1986, my goal was not to be a girl playing in a men's league, it was to be a player in a men's league," she added. "In 2010, I don't want to be a woman who is coaching men, I want to be a coach who is coaching."
NBA commissioner David Stern said, "this is wonderful for the NBA D-League....a basketball pioneer and Hall of Famer continues her journey."
Lieberman has lived in the Dallas area for 28 years and wanted to stay close to home for family reasons. She said she wants to watch her teenage son, T.J. play basketball.
The team will work with the Dallas Mavericks in training so there can be a seamless transition for players who might play on the D-league team and move over to the Mavericks.
The Mavericks have a major stake in the team. Mavs president Donnie Nelson is part owner, former Mavs assistant coach Del Harris is the team's general manager. Former NBA slam dunk champion and Dallas-area resident Spud Webb is the team's president of basketball operations.
First Published: Nov 6, 2009 11:34 AM CST
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