November 6, 2009 in Sports

Another first for her

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The first woman to play pro basketball with guys is now going to coach them. Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was introduced Thursday as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate in the NBA Development League, which will tip off next November. The D-League team is partially owned by Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations. Hiring Lieberman was his idea, and he’s confident young men won’t have a problem taking orders from a woman – at least, not this woman. “She’s got the skins, the experience – she knows what she’s doing – so I certainly hope that we’re well beyond those issues,” Nelson said. Lieberman made the 1976 U.S. Olympic team for the first women’s tournament.

Associated Press

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