Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman has been named the head coach of the Power, one of the teams in the BIG3, Ice Cube’s professional half-court, 3-on-3 league.
The woman who led the introduction of the WNBA in Detroit has made basketball history.
Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman has been named the head coach of the Power, one of the teams in the BIG3, Ice Cube’s professional half-court, 3-on-3 league.
This marks the first time a female has been hired as head coach of a men’s professional sports league.
Lieberman, a three-time All-American, two-time Olympian and former WNBA star, has numerous ties to Michigan.
In 1998, she was hired as general manager and head coach of the Detroit Shock, a position she held for three seasons before she was replaced with Pistons’ legend Bill Laimbeer.
Lieberman is also known for returning to the Shock as a player during the 2008 season, the year the Shock won the last of their three titles in Detroit. Despite being 50 years old, Lieberman signed a seven-day contract and broke her own previous record as the oldest player in league history.
She played one game and had two assists and two turnovers against the Houston Comets. Lieberman currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings. The Shock left Detroit for Tulsa after the 2009 season.
“Nancy is one of the sharpest basketball minds and also one of the most competitive,” said BIG3 Commissioner Clyde Drexler. “Her experience and basketball acumen will stand out in the BIG3, which is filled with star players and coaches. I couldn’t be happier to pass her the coaching torch.”
Ice Cube’s professional 3-on-3 basketball league is coming to Detroit
Lieberman, who got a taste of the BIG3 during the inaugural season when she joined Ball Hogs Coach Rick Barry as a guest Assistant Coach for Week 6 in Dallas, will coach Power Captain Corey Maggette and Co-Captain Cuttino Mobley.
Team Power, which finished the season in fourth place after falling to Ricky Davis’ Ghost Ballers in the BIG3 Playoffs, will fill three roster spots during the 2018 BIG3 Draft set to take place Thursday, April 12 live on FS1.
“It’s an honor and privilege for me to be a part of the BIG3 and its vision,” said Nancy Lieberman. “We have former NBA players and Hall of Fame coaches who still love the game, have a deep respect for the competition, and a passion to play competitive basketball. It’s in our DNA. Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz have provided this unique platform for all of us. Who’s got next?!”
The 2018 BIG3 season kicks off Friday, June 22 at the Toyota Center in Houston. It will come to Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena for the first time on July 13 during Week 4 of the league’s upcoming season.
