Nancy Lieberman: The First Female Head Coach In A Men’s Pro League

Lady Magic continues to break ground and prove that women can not only survive but excel in coaching men’s sports.

Hall of Famer and women’s hoops pioneer Nancy Lieberman, who once beat our very own Rob Parker in a one-on-one promotional hoop clash in basketballs version of Billie Jean King versus Bobby Fisher,  will coach a team in the BIG3 this season.

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BREAKING – Hall of Famer and WNBA/NBA coaching veteran @NancyLieberman has signed as the head coach of Power for #BIG3Season2!

Lieberman, a groundbreaking women’s player, who was also played and coached in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and currently works as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings has signed on as the next coach of Power.

The Power move makes her the first female head coach in a men’s professional sports league. Lieberman will assume the coaching position vacated by Clyde Drexler, who became league commissioner after Roger Mason’s dismissal.

How Nancy Lieberman Became 1 of the NBA’s 1st Female Coaches

When Nancy Lieberman was appointed Assistant Coach of the Sacramento Kings, she became the second woman in history to coach a men’s pro basketball team. And that’s just 1 of the barriers Nancy broke in her amazing career! Click play to hear Nancy’s inspiring story, and see how she’s paving the way for the next generation of basketball players.

“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.”

Lieberman, the redhead legend from Queens, NY, was a three-time All-American at Old Dominion and two-time U.S. Olympian.

Sportswrap Vault: 1980, Nancy Lieberman

We dig into the Sportswrap Vault and go back to 1980, when Bruce Rader sat down with Old Dominion Lady Monarchs great Nancy Lieberman.

“It’s an honor and privilege for me to be a part of the BIG3 and its vision,” Lieberman said. “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.”

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