The Charlotte Hornets have received approval to interview Lindsey Harding, current coach of the G League’s Stockton Kings, for the head-coaching position in Charlotte, as confirmed by a league source on Monday. This exciting development was first reported by ESPN.
If Harding is selected for the role, she will make history as the first woman to lead an NBA team as head coach. At 39, she was the top pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Last year, she made headlines as the sole female head coach in the NBA or G League, guiding Sacramento’s G League team in their inaugural game, which unfortunately ended in a loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors in November 2023.
Having had a remarkable career as a player, Harding was a standout at Duke University, where her No. 10 jersey was retired. She was also named the Naismith Player of the Year in 2007. Following nine seasons in the WNBA, she transitioned to roles as a scout and player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Subsequently, she served as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings before being appointed head coach of the Stockton Kings.
Recently honored as the NBA G League Coach of the Year after leading the Stockton Kings to an impressive 24-10 record in the regular season, Harding’s coaching prowess is recognized both on and off the court. In addition to her coaching duties, she has been actively involved in coaching the Mexican and South Sudanese women’s national teams.
While women in coaching positions within the NBA remain relatively uncommon, the landscape is evolving with more women like Becky Hammon breaking barriers. As a former top assistant to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Hammon made history as the first woman to serve as head coach during an NBA game in December 2020. She also took the helm for the Spurs in the NBA Summer League, demonstrating the increasing opportunities for women in coaching roles in professional basketball.
As the sports industry continues to embrace diversity and inclusion, the potential appointment of Lindsey Harding as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets signifies a significant step forward in breaking gender barriers in the NBA coaching ranks. With her wealth of experience and achievements, Harding is poised to make a lasting impact on the league and inspire future generations of female coaches in basketball.
Leave a Reply