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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gonzaga hires WNBA player as assistant

Former Stanford and WNBA player Nicole Powell, left, will be an assistant with the Gonzaga women next season. (Associated Press)
Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Kelly Graves announced the hiring of current WNBA player and former Stanford standout Nicole Powell as an assistant coach. Powell is closing out her 10th year in the WNBA and first with the Tulsa Shock. She was the third overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft, selected by the Charlotte Sting. Powell won a WNBA championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005; was named WNBA Most Improved Player in 2005; and was selected as a WNBA All-Star in 2009. At Stanford, Powell was a finalist for the James Naismith Player of the Year three times. She graduated as the program’s all-time leader in career rebounds (1,143) and third in career scoring (2,062 points). Powell replaces Julie Shaw, who took the job as head women’s basketball coach at the University of La Verne.