Nancy Lieberman
Nancy Lieberman (born July 1, 1958) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive recognized for her pioneering role in advancing women's basketball and breaking gender barriers in coaching men's professional teams.[1] As a player, she earned acclaim at Old Dominion University, leading the team to back-to-back Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championships in 1979 and 1980 while securing multiple individual honors, including two Wade Trophy Awards as the nation's top player.[2][3] At age 18, Lieberman became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to win a medal, contributing to the United States women's team's silver finish at the 1976 Montreal Games.[1][4] Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, she transitioned to coaching and executive roles, serving as the first woman to head coach and manage a WNBA franchise with the Detroit Shock in 1998.[5][6] Lieberman achieved further milestones in men's basketball, becoming the first female head coach of a professional men's team in 2009 with the NBA Development League's Texas Legends and later joining the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach in 2015, marking her as only the second woman in NBA history to hold that position.[7][8] In 2018, she led the BIG3 league's Power team to a championship, earning league Coach of the Year recognition as the first woman to win a title in that capacity.[9]Early Life
Family Background and Childhood Challenges
Nancy Lieberman was born on July 1, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jerome Lieberman, a contractor, and Renée Lieberman.[10][11] The family, which included her older brother Clifford, soon relocated to the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, where her father built their home on Bayswater Avenue.[10][11] Of Jewish heritage, Lieberman grew up in a working-class environment marked by her parents' divorce shortly after the move, when she was very young.[12][13] Following the separation, she and her brother were raised primarily by their mother, who managed the household amid financial constraints.[10] Lieberman's childhood was shaped by the challenges of a single-parent home in a tough urban area, where her mother worked long hours to provide for the family.[10][14] Economic hardships were common, including instances of returning home to no electricity or insufficient food in the refrigerator, reflecting the strains of limited resources in Far Rockaway.[14] The divorce contributed to emotional difficulties, leaving Lieberman with a sense of instability that she later described as stemming from a "broken home."[14] Despite these obstacles, her mother's determination to support the children provided a foundation of resilience, though family dynamics included limited paternal involvement post-divorce.[12][13]Entry into Basketball and High School Achievements
Nancy Lieberman began playing basketball at age 10 in schoolyards and parks in Far Rockaway, Queens, primarily competing against boys in pickup games, which shaped her aggressive and physical playing style.[15] By age 11, she was competing at renowned outdoor courts like Rucker Park in Harlem, breaking gender barriers in environments dominated by male players.[16] She did not join an organized girls' team until entering high school, relying instead on informal street and playground basketball to hone her skills as a point guard.[15] At Far Rockaway High School in Queens, New York, Lieberman quickly emerged as a standout player during her sophomore year in 1973–74, earning All-American recognition at age 14 or 15 while commuting by subway to advanced pickup games in Harlem.[15] As a sophomore, she was invited to USA national team tryouts in 1974, and as a junior in 1975, she secured a spot on the U.S. women's Pan American team, contributing to a gold medal win in Mexico City.[17] Her high school performance led directly to her selection for the 1976 U.S. Olympic team as an 18-year-old senior, where she became the youngest basketball player to win an Olympic medal (silver) in Montreal—the first Olympics featuring women's basketball. Specific scoring or assist statistics from her Far Rockaway tenure are not widely documented, but her early national team involvement underscores her dominance as a gritty, pass-first guard in an era with limited organized women's youth basketball opportunities.[18]Collegiate Career
Old Dominion University Tenure
Nancy Lieberman enrolled at Old Dominion University in 1976 and played for the Lady Monarchs women's basketball team from 1976 to 1980 under coach Marianne Nestico (later Stanley).[19] During her freshman season in 1976–77, she contributed to a strong team performance, helping secure a berth in the National Women's Invitation Tournament (NWIT), where Old Dominion emerged as champions.[20] Lieberman's teams achieved an overall record of 125–15 across her four seasons, establishing the program as a dominant force in women's college basketball prior to the NCAA's takeover of the sport.[21] As a sophomore in 1977–78, Lieberman recorded a triple-double with 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists in a game against Norfolk State, showcasing her versatility as a 5-foot-10 point guard.[5] She earned her first Kodak All-America selection that year and led the team in assists, a role she maintained for all four seasons.[19] Over her collegiate career, Lieberman amassed 2,430 points, 1,167 rebounds, and held Old Dominion records for career assists and steals at the time of her graduation; in 134 games, she averaged 18.1 points, 8.7 assists, and 3.8 steals per game.[20][19] Her playmaking and defensive prowess were instrumental in elevating the Lady Monarchs' fast-paced, pressure-defense style. In 1978–79 and 1979–80, Lieberman captained Old Dominion to back-to-back Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championships, defeating Wayland Baptist 83–70 in 1979 and Tennessee 88–79 in 1980.[19] She won the Wade Trophy—awarded to the national player of the year—as the first two-time recipient in 1978–79 and 1979–80, and secured Kodak All-America honors both seasons, totaling three such selections.[19][4] These achievements underscored her leadership, with teammates like Inge Nissen and later Anne Donovan complementing her guard skills in a dynasty that won 102 of 108 games during the championship era.[22] Lieberman's tenure at Old Dominion not only produced titles but also advanced women's basketball visibility, drawing national attention to the program's innovative coaching and athletic rigor.[23]National Championships and Individual Accolades
Lieberman contributed significantly to Old Dominion University's women's basketball team securing back-to-back Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championships in 1979 and 1980, defeating Utah in the 1979 final (83–77) and Tennessee in the 1980 final (88–80).[19][24] These victories marked the program's first national titles, achieved under coach Marianne Stanley with Lieberman serving as point guard and team leader.[19] She became the first two-time recipient of the Wade Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top women's college basketball player, winning in the 1978–79 and 1979–80 seasons.[19][25] Lieberman also received Kodak All-American first-team honors for three consecutive years (1978, 1979, 1980), recognizing her as one of the elite performers in NCAA Division I women's basketball.[4][21] These accolades underscored her defensive prowess, playmaking ability, and scoring contributions, with career averages of 11.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game at Old Dominion.[4]Professional Playing Career
Domestic Professional Leagues
Lieberman commenced her professional playing career in 1980 as the first overall draft pick of the Dallas Diamonds in the Women's Basketball League (WBL), the first women's professional basketball league in the United States.[1][26] During the 1980–81 season, her sole year in the league before its dissolution, she averaged 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.9 steals per game while earning Rookie of the Year honors.[1] The WBL folded amid financial difficulties in 1981, after which Lieberman briefly joined the Baltimore Diamonds in the league's remnants.[26] In 1984, Lieberman was selected as the top draft pick in the inaugural season of the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA), another short-lived women's professional circuit that ceased operations after one year due to insufficient fan interest and funding.[1][26] Lieberman made history in 1986 by becoming the first woman to play in a men's professional basketball league, signing with the Springfield Fame of the United States Basketball League (USBL), a minor developmental circuit.[1][5] She returned to professional play in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) during its debut 1997 season with the Phoenix Mercury, appearing in 27 regular-season games as a veteran point guard at age 39, averaging 2.5 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game.[27][1]Olympic and International Competitions
Lieberman competed for the United States in the debut of women's basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the team secured a silver medal following a 95–75 defeat to the Soviet Union in the gold medal game on July 27, 1976.[28][4] At 18 years old, she became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to earn a medal.[4][1] She had been selected for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but did not participate due to the American boycott of the Moscow Games.[28] Lieberman also represented the U.S. at the FIBA World Championship for Women, contributing to gold medal victories in 1975 in Cali, Colombia, and in 1979 in Seoul, South Korea.[1][29] At the Pan American Games, she helped secure a gold medal in 1975 in Mexico City and a silver medal in 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[1][28] These achievements underscored her role in the early development of international women's basketball during a period when U.S. teams were establishing competitiveness against global opponents.[30]Coaching Career
WNBA and Initial Professional Coaching
In 1998, Nancy Lieberman was appointed as the inaugural general manager and head coach of the Detroit Shock, marking her entry into professional coaching in the newly formed Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[2] This role positioned her as a pioneer in women's professional basketball management, overseeing both team operations and on-court strategy for the expansion franchise based in Detroit, Michigan.[1] During the 1998 season, Lieberman's Shock compiled a 17–13 regular-season record, achieving a winning percentage of .567 and demonstrating competitive viability in the league's debut year, though they did not qualify for the playoffs.[31] In 1999, the team finished 15–17 (.469), securing a playoff berth as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but they were eliminated in the first round with a 0–1 series loss to the New York Liberty.[31] The 2000 campaign saw a decline to 14–18 (.438), placing fourth in the East and missing the postseason, after which Lieberman was relieved of her duties following the season.[31] Over her three-year tenure, Lieberman directed 94 regular-season games, posting an overall record of 46–48 (.489), with one playoff appearance and no further postseason wins.[31] Her leadership emphasized defensive fundamentals and player development, drawing from her extensive playing background, though the team's inconsistent performance reflected the challenges of building a franchise amid the WNBA's early instability and roster turnover.[32] This period represented her foundational experience in professional coaching, bridging her athletic career into executive and tactical roles without prior head-coaching stints in men's or other pro leagues at the time.[33]NBA G League and NBA Roles
In November 2009, Lieberman was hired as head coach of the Texas Legends, the NBA Development League (now NBA G League) affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the first woman to lead a professional men's basketball team in the United States.[34] She also served as general manager for business development with the Legends, overseeing strategic operations during her tenure from 2009 to 2011.[35] During her time with the Legends, Lieberman focused on player development and game preparation, contributing to the pipeline of talent for the Mavericks' NBA roster, as the G League serves as a primary minor league system for NBA affiliates.[36] Her appointment marked a milestone in breaking gender barriers in professional basketball coaching, though the team did not advance to the playoffs in her inaugural season.[34] In July 2015, Lieberman joined the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach under head coach George Karl, making her the second woman to hold an NBA assistant coaching position after Becky Hammon with the San Antonio Spurs.[37] In this role, she contributed to player development, scouting, and strategic planning for the Kings' roster, drawing on her extensive experience in women's and developmental leagues.[36] Her NBA stint with Sacramento lasted through the 2015–16 season, after which she transitioned to other coaching opportunities.[37]BIG3 League Involvement
Nancy Lieberman was hired as head coach of the BIG3's Team Power on March 21, 2018, replacing Clyde Drexler after he assumed the role of BIG3 commissioner.[38][39] This appointment marked her as the first woman to serve as head coach of a men's professional sports team.[30] In her inaugural 2018 season, Lieberman led Team Power to a 7-1 regular-season record and the BIG3 championship, defeating the 3's Company team 21-19 in the final on August 19, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.[40] She was subsequently voted BIG3 Coach of the Year by league players, coaches, and executives, becoming the first female coach to win a championship in a men's professional basketball league.[40][41] Lieberman has continued coaching Team Power in subsequent seasons, including her return for the 2024 campaign, where she emphasized player development and strategic adjustments suited to the 3-on-3 format's fast-paced, half-court style.[30][42] Her tenure has highlighted her expertise in mentoring veteran players, drawing from her extensive playing and coaching background to implement defensive schemes and offensive spacing critical to BIG3 success.[43]Recent Coaching Engagements Post-2020
Following the 2020 BIG3 season, Nancy Lieberman continued as head coach of Power, guiding the team through subsequent campaigns in the three-on-three professional league. In 2021, Power experienced a challenging year with roster inconsistencies, finishing outside the playoff contention despite Lieberman's strategic adjustments.[44] The team rebounded in 2022 after roster enhancements, achieving a stronger performance that highlighted Lieberman's coaching adaptability in a fast-paced format emphasizing veteran players and high-intensity play.[44] Lieberman maintained her role with Power into 2023 and 2024, leveraging her experience as the league's first female head coach of a men's professional team to foster team cohesion and tactical execution. Her tenure post-2020 emphasized player development and competitive resilience, contributing to Power's sustained presence in BIG3 playoffs during select seasons.[30] In March 2025, Lieberman returned as head coach for Team Lieberman in the Lilly Women's College All-Star Game, an exhibition showcasing top collegiate talent, where she directed strategies alongside counterpart Cheryl Miller for Team Miller. This engagement underscored her ongoing influence in women's basketball coaching circles, focusing on skill refinement and game preparation for emerging athletes.[45] While Lieberman joined the Dallas Wings as a team ambassador and advisor in March 2023, providing mentorship and strategic input to players, this role did not entail formal on-court coaching duties.[46] Her post-2020 engagements primarily centered on the BIG3's professional demands and selective high-profile all-star opportunities, without returns to WNBA or NBA assistant positions.[47]Career Statistics
College Statistics
Nancy Lieberman played for the Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs, accumulating career totals of 2,430 points, 1,167 rebounds, and 983 assists over 134 games.[1] Her per-game averages were 18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.[1] [48]| Statistic | Career Total | Per Game Average |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 134 | - |
| Points | 2,430 | 18.1 |
| Rebounds | 1,167 | 8.7 |
| Assists | 983 | 7.3 |
WNBA Statistics
Lieberman played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) during its inaugural 1997 season with the Phoenix Mercury and appeared in one game for the Detroit Shock in 2008.[27] Over her brief professional playing career in the league, she appeared in 26 regular-season games without starting any, averaging 11.1 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game.[27] Her field goal percentage stood at 32.1%, with a 23.1% success rate from three-point range and 80.0% from the free-throw line.[27] The following table summarizes her per-game statistics by season:| Season | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Phoenix Mercury | 25 | 11.2 | .325 | .231 | .800 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2008 | Detroit Shock | 1 | 9.0 | .000 | – | – | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Career | – | 26 | 11.1 | .321 | .231 | .800 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 2.5 |
Awards and Honors
Hall of Fame Inductions
Lieberman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, recognizing her achievements as a player, including leading Old Dominion University to consecutive AIAW national championships in 1979 and 1980, and her Olympic silver medal in 1976.[5][50] In 1999, she was enshrined in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1999, honoring her pioneering role in women's basketball, such as being the youngest Olympic medalist in basketball history at age 18 and her contributions to professional leagues.[4][51] She received induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Class of 2019, with the ceremony held on March 30, 2019, acknowledging her Dallas-based coaching roles and overall impact on Texas basketball.[52][53] Lieberman is set for induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2025, celebrating her trailblazing career across playing, coaching, and advocacy in basketball.[54]| Hall of Fame | Induction Year |
|---|---|
| Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame | 1996 |
| Women's Basketball Hall of Fame | 1999 |
| Texas Sports Hall of Fame | 2019 |
| International Sports Hall of Fame | 2025 |