Nancy Lieberman, Former Former WNBA & NBA Coach & Executive: Rucker Park, Muhammad Ali, & A Hall-of-Fame Career

My guest today is Nancy Lieberman, who is one of the most decorated basketball players of all time. Nancy was a two-time national player of the year at Old Dominion, where she also won two national championships. She was also both a WNBA coach & general manager before being hired as the coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League, making her the first woman to coach a men’s basketball team. She later became the second woman to be an NBA assistant coach when the Sacramento Kings hired her in 2015. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

In this episode, we discuss what led her to take the train from Queens to Rucker Park to play basketball at 11 years old, what it was like to be the youngest male or female to ever make the U.S. Olympic basketball team, the impact of her life-long friendship with Muhammad Ali, and why Pat Riley said she changed the way he viewed players. Most importantly, we discuss what she is doing with her foundation to help young people who are less fortunate.

Click here to learn more about Nancy Lieberman Charities, and you can donate here to help children in a variety of ways, including providing backpacks with school supplies for one year, a tablet, basketball camp scholarship, contribute to a college scholarship and more.

Show Notes:

(1:30) – Episode begins with Nancy playing at Rucker Park at the age of 11

(6:35) – How she and Muhammad Ali developed a life-long relationship

(18:10) – How she goes through life with no fear

(20:25) – How she changed Pat Riley’s perspective on players

(26:35) – Background on her foundation

Favorite Quotes: 

“I don’t know any other way but to grind and to give the best of who I am. I may not do everything perfectly correct, but I’m going to give you the best of who I am and I’m not going to be afraid.”

“To be a winner, you have to make other people around you better.”