Coaching carousel, Taurasi return highlight packed news week for WNBA

The WNBA offseason continues to unfold with multiple new head coach signings. Here are some updates and news from around the league.

WNBA News: Stephanie White to coach Connecticut Sun

Yesterday, ESPN’s M.A. Voepel reported that the Connecticut Sun named Stephanie White as their next head coach. Recently, the Sun lost Curt Miller, who is now with the Los Angeles Sparks.

White brings experience to the Sun as a former head coach and WNBA player. Prior to playing in the WNBA, she led Purdue to an NCAA Women’s Championship in 1999.

White played in the WNBA from 1999-2004. The 45-year-old played one season with the Charlotte Sting and four with the Indiana Fever.

In addition to playing in the league, White served as an assistant coach at the collegiate level from 2003-2007. After leaving the college ranks, White coached as an assistant with the Chicago Sky (2007-2010) and Indiana Fever (2011-2014). In 2012, she won a title as an assistant with the Fever.

The Purdue product was the head coach of the Fever from 2015-16 and then would coach at Purdue from 2016-2022.

Latricia Trammell set to coach Dallas Wings

As of yesterday, the Dallas Wings found their new head coach in Latricia Trammell. The former Los Angeles assistant coach will be taking over for Vickie Johnson. Johnson’s 2023 team option was declined by the franchise.

Johnson finished her tenure in Dallas with a 32-36 record. Trammell will have her hands full as she inherits a team with a franchise player and potential core pieces.

Trammell comes to this franchise with plenty of coaching experience and a defensive mindset that can shift the culture.

Diana Taurasi will return for 19th season

Diana Taurasi recently announced that she is coming back for her 19th season in the WNBA. Taurasi was asked during an interview with Arizona’s Family about possibly returning.

Taurasi was attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the refurbished Grant Woods Boys & Girls Club in Mesa. She accompanied Natalia Bryant to support this community event. Taurasi, who is currently a free agent, indicated that she is set to return. ” I started working out. The minute I start working out, I am all in,” said Taurasi.

Old Dominion reveals statue of Nancy Lieberman

Last Saturday, Old Dominion honored Naismith Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman with her own statue. Lieberman is the first Old Dominion athlete to receive a statue.

Lieberman averaged 18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during her time at ODU. She led the Monarchs to two AIAW national titles in 1979 and 1980. She played at ODU from 1977 to 1980 and went on to play professionally in multiple leagues.

Christie Sides to coach Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever are trying to pivot and change the culture by hiring Christie Sides. Indiana has not qualified for the postseason since the 2016 season.

For the past three seasons, the Fever have not won more than 10 games. Marianne Stanley was the franchise’s head coach since 2020, however, she was let go after starting the 2022 season 2-7.

Carlos Knox took over for the remainder of the season and finished with a 3-24 record. Sides served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Dream (2022) and Fever (2017-2019).

Indiana is one of the worst teams in the league. Sides will be expected to turn this franchise around quickly. The Fever won their last and only championship in 2012.

US Embassy Officials visit Brittney Griner

U.S. Embassy Officials visited Brittney Griner in Moscow to check on her well-being and to continue working on her release.

Two weeks ago, the Russian court denied her appeal. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison after being charged with drug possession. The world continues to pressure the government to secure a trade to bring Griner back safely.

Griner has been wrongfully detained for 263 days.

Cheryl Reeve receives coaching extension and becomes franchise’s new president

Cheryl Reeve will return to coach the Minnesota Lynx for her 14th season. She was also promoted to president of basketball operations. The news was announced last Thursday by the franchise in a press release.

Caitlin Clark’s spectacular appeal could mark turning point WNBA deserves

Caitlin Clark has taken the basketball world by storm, and a player like her is exactly what the WNBA deserves in the near future.

Reeve has won four championships with the franchise and has seen the franchise at its highest and lowest points. She also addressed Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and his comments regarding the anti-Semitic film he posted on his social media.