If you’re a Hornet fan, get ready to be thrilled! As the season draws to a close, the anticipation for the off-season is building. The Hornets are on the lookout for their 11th head coach, and the potential candidates are nothing short of exciting. The list is filled with promising names, from Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee to Phoenix assistant Kevin Young, Sacramento’s assistant Jordi Fernandez, and Denver’s assistant David Alderman. But one name is set to revolutionize basketball in a way we’ve never seen before.
The First In NBA History?
On April 8th, The Hornets were granted permission to interview Stockton Kings head coach Lindsey Harding. Harding, a former WNBA player, won coach of the year and led the team to the Western Conference finals in her first season as the head coach after spending four years as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings. Her extensive coaching experience includes roles as a coaching assistant on Toronto’s 2015 summer league team and a scout in Philadelphia, but she was promoted to a player development role. With such a unique blend of playing and coaching experience, Harding brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record of success.
Accolades.
Harding was a successful four-year collegiate athlete at the University Of Duke, where she made the ACC All-Rookie Team (2003), won the WBCA National Defensive Player (2007), and the Naismith National Player Of The Year (2007), among other awards. She would be the #1 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She wouldn’t play a game in the valley as she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx. Harding would play nine WNBA seasons with six teams, averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. She would also have a career overseas, playing in Turkey, Lithuania, and Russia.
In 2021, Harding became the head coach of the newly formed South Sudanese Women’s National Basketball team. She is currently the coach of Mexico’s National Women’s Team. With such an extensive background, there is no way you could look at Harding and say she’s not worth the interest that Charlotte is showing.
Success In Stockton.
With the departure of former Kings great Bobby Jackson, Harding was given the head coaching position. When you look at the team’s averages for her first season, they are nothing impressive.
- 17th in Points Per game (113.8)
- 19th in Rebounds Per game (44.1)
- Tied for 17th in Turnovers (15.7)
- Tied for 16th in Steals (8.4)
- 19th in Blocks (5.5)
The Kings were also 3rd in offensive rating (120.7), 2nd in opponents points per game (106.4), and 3rd in defensive rating (113.1). Their net rating of +7.4 was also second in the G-League this season. This shows me that the players that come into the program are coached the right way. They are always in the best position to make a winning play when it’s time to create one.
In Conclusion…
I love the popularity that women are enjoying right now. They work just as hard, if not harder, than their counterparts and don’t get the recognition they deserve. Lindsey Harding is in an excellent spot to become the first female coach in NBA history. Give a shoutout to Becky Hammond. Hammond was considered for two different coaching jobs as an assistant in San Antonio. Despite not being chosen for those spots, Hammond spotlighted a woman and their abilities to coach men.
Don’t be surprised if there are more dominos to fall when it comes to this. Dawn Staley is a national treasure with her job in South Carolina, and there will be another woman who will rise in the coaching ranks. Charlotte, break down the barriers. Choose Lindsey Harding to be your next head coach.
West Coast Hoops 