The news was first reported by Doug Feinberg and has been independently confirmed by High Post Hoops. Copyright 2020 The Associated Press.

“Needed someone who coaches women and can relate to them. “He’s a person of character. Love our 24/7 women’s basketball coverage? NEW YORK (AP) — Katie Smith couldn't think of a better place to get her first chance to become a head coach than New York. The Liberty parted ways with head coach Katie Smith in hopes of righting the ship before the team moves officially to their new home at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York… Head Coach | Walt Hopkins Assistant Coach | Shelley Patterson Assistant Coach | Kelly Raimon Assistant Coach | Dustin Gray He also holds master’s degrees from Harvard and UC Berkeley, where his studies focused primarily on applying findings from Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology to coaching settings. The Liberty have the first pick in the WNBA draft in April. Hopkins’ many goals for New York should include and not be limited to: 1) Developing a team culture and a culture sensitivity– In 2019 New York had players from six different countries — along with a focus on team accountability. The combination of Hopkins and New York GM Jonathan Kolb is among the youngest in the league — both are under 40. “I couldn’t possibly be more excited to join the Liberty organization,” said Hopkins. Tsai also owns the Brooklyn Nets. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. “The ownership, the No. The more we looked at that, the more Walt’s name made sense. He’s an elite level communicator.". “The ownership, the No. Former coach Katie Smith's contract wasn't renewed after the season ended in September. Photo caption: New York Liberty WNBA basketball team new head coach Walt Hopkins poses for photographers after a news conference at Barclays Center, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in New York. “Had this team been in Westchester with this ownership, I still would have jumped at it.

In addition to developing Ionescu at the point and teaching new offensive systems, championships are won with a formidable defensive front.

New York Liberty Roster and Coaching Staff. Those are icing on the cake. “Walt’s a genius. Aside from Tina Charles and Tanisha Wright, Bria Hartley had the most WNBA experience of the entire 2019 roster. Walt Hopkins, former assistant coach of the Minnesota Lynx, will be the eighth head coach in New York Liberty franchise history. “It was a large pool and we did that on purpose. Prior to joining the Liberty, Hopkins served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Lynx since 2017, where he helped accumulate a 63-39 record, three consecutive trips to the WNBA Playoffs and one WNBA Championship. In two seasons at the helm in New York, the Liberty accrued a 17-51 record. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Having the No. “Walt’s a genius. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 03: New York Liberty Head Coach Katie Smith reacts against the Seattle ...[+] Storm in the fourth quarter during … His elite ability to connect and build relationships will go a long way towards establishing sustainable winning habits within a culture to which people want to contribute. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the NBA.com, Fever Name Steve Smith As Assistant Coach, Lynx Sign Head Coach and General Manager Cher…. Former coach Katie Smith's contract wasn't renewed after the season ended in September. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images). Neither Kolb nor Hopkins would say who they were taking first, although the consensus top pick is Oregon star guard Sabrina Ionescu. Copyright 2020 NBA Media Ventures, LLC | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. With the new CBA still yet to be officially ratified, only six players from the 2019 roster remained signed for 2020. Before that, he was the academic coach at Cal. Several notable names could well be up for consideration. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. 1 pick is a huge blessing and we’re excited to get to work.". He also served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Utah Valley University (2013-2014) and Director of Basketball Operations and Player Development Coach for the Tulsa Shock (2013).
Hopkins will be introduced at a press conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday, January 8. “We need to get it right, just like this coaching search,” Kolb said. 2) Player development on both the frontcourt and the backcourt.

Walt Hopkins, former assistant coach of the Minnesota Lynx, will be the eighth head coach in New York Liberty franchise history. This was the first coaching hire for the Liberty under owner Joe Tsai's group, which bought the team last year. Smith will take over the Liberty, the team announced Monday. 1 pick, the new arena, the move to Brooklyn, all of it are factors," Hopkins said. BROOKLYN (JAN. 8, 2020) – The New York Liberty today announced Walt Hopkins as the 8 th head coach in the franchise’s history. Hopkins had been an assistant for the Minnesota Lynx since 2017.

Hopkins comes to New York with four years working within WNBA franchises including three years as Cheryl Reeve’s assistant from 2017-2019 and one year with the Tulsa Shock as a player development coach. Can the end be different? ... All had different levels of backgrounds and qualities. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the NBA.com. He also served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Utah Valley University (2013-2014) and Director of Basketball Operations and Player Development Coach for the Tulsa Shock (2013). To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Hopkins must commit to Han’s development while he should also look toward transforming and building on the enormous leaps made last season by Zahui B. and Allen. 1 pick, the new arena, the move to Brooklyn, all of it are factors," Hopkins said. “He’s a person of character.

He has this humble confidence about him,'" Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said. 12 Maryland Defeats Slumping No. He also holds master’s degrees from Harvard and UC Berkeley, where his studies focused primarily on applying findings from Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology to coaching settings. Your privacy is safe with us. 2019 New York Liberty season; Coach: Katie Smith: Arena: Westchester County Center: Attendance: 2,239 per game: Results; Record: 10–24 (.294) Place: 5th (Eastern) Playoff finish: Did Not Qualify: Team Leaders; Points: Tina Charles – 16.9 ppg: Rebounds: Tina Charles – 7.5 rpg: Assists: Brittany Boyd – 4.6 apg: Media ; Television: YES ← 2018 season. Prior to joining the Liberty, Hopkins served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Lynx since 2017, where he helped accumulate […] Hopkins has over a decade of experience as a basketball coach at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. Before that, he was the academic coach at Cal. BROOKLYN (JAN. 8, 2020) – The New York Liberty today announced Walt Hopkins as the 8th head coach in the franchise’s history. Hopefully he will have the ability to form a deep coaching staff behind him, something the Liberty have struggled to maintain since their days at MSG. In two seasons at the helm in New York, the Liberty accrued a 17-51 record.