This is an outstanding hire.
From Today's Austin American-Statesman:
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Tina Thompson had no intention of becoming a college basketball coach when Karen Aston suggested that Thompson join her staff at the University of Texas.
After she retired in 2013 following 17 seasons of playing in the WNBA, Thompson was content teaching girls about the game at the AAU level. But Aston’s presentation “resonated” with her, Thompson said, leading her to change her career path.
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Introduced Monday as a new assistant coach for the Texas women’s basketball team, Tina Thompson retired from the WNBA in 2013 ... Read More
On Monday, Thompson was introduced as UT’s new assistant coach, replacing Jalie Mitchell, who resigned last month to become the head women’s coach at North Texas.
“I was working with young girls in Houston at the club level, not interviewing for any coaching jobs,” Thompson said. “(Aston) opened up the conversation and said some things that resonated with me. We share so many of the same passions.”
Thompson, 40, was the first pick of the inaugural WNBA draft in 1997. She retired with four WNBA championship rings — all won with the Houston Comets — and is the league’s all-time scoring leader with 7,448 points.
A graduate of Southern California, the 6-foot-2-inch Thompson will coach the Longhorns’ centers and forwards, Aston said.
“With her knowledge and passion coming to the Forty Acres, this is an absolute home run for Texas basketball,” Aston said.
Chris Plonsky, director of women’s athletics at Texas, said Thompson will be a good influence on the UT players.
“She has been in their shoes as a player at the highest level,” Plonsky said.
Interestingly, Thompson said she almost bypassed professional basketball in favor of a different court. She considered law school after graduating from USC, and her “ultimate goal” was to be a judge.
“The WNBA was just starting and (NBA commissioner) David Stern had done a lot of great work from a marketing perspective,” she said. “I thought the WNBA was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’d try it for a couple years. That way I could save some money for law school.”
Thompson said she had “no idea” her playing career would span 17 years, saying, “I was lucky my body held up and I never had any major injuries.”
The new coach already is familiar with 6-7 Longhorns post Imani McGee-Stafford, who, like Thompson, is a Los Angeles native.
Thompson’s arrivals begs the question: If she played one-on-one against fellow assistant coach and former Longhorns great Travis Mays, who would win?
“I’m going to let them answer that question,” Aston said. “I’ll predict each one will say they’d win.”
From Today's Austin American-Statesman:
++++
Tina Thompson had no intention of becoming a college basketball coach when Karen Aston suggested that Thompson join her staff at the University of Texas.
After she retired in 2013 following 17 seasons of playing in the WNBA, Thompson was content teaching girls about the game at the AAU level. But Aston’s presentation “resonated” with her, Thompson said, leading her to change her career path.
+
Introduced Monday as a new assistant coach for the Texas women’s basketball team, Tina Thompson retired from the WNBA in 2013 ... Read More
On Monday, Thompson was introduced as UT’s new assistant coach, replacing Jalie Mitchell, who resigned last month to become the head women’s coach at North Texas.
“I was working with young girls in Houston at the club level, not interviewing for any coaching jobs,” Thompson said. “(Aston) opened up the conversation and said some things that resonated with me. We share so many of the same passions.”
Thompson, 40, was the first pick of the inaugural WNBA draft in 1997. She retired with four WNBA championship rings — all won with the Houston Comets — and is the league’s all-time scoring leader with 7,448 points.
A graduate of Southern California, the 6-foot-2-inch Thompson will coach the Longhorns’ centers and forwards, Aston said.
“With her knowledge and passion coming to the Forty Acres, this is an absolute home run for Texas basketball,” Aston said.
Chris Plonsky, director of women’s athletics at Texas, said Thompson will be a good influence on the UT players.
“She has been in their shoes as a player at the highest level,” Plonsky said.
Interestingly, Thompson said she almost bypassed professional basketball in favor of a different court. She considered law school after graduating from USC, and her “ultimate goal” was to be a judge.
“The WNBA was just starting and (NBA commissioner) David Stern had done a lot of great work from a marketing perspective,” she said. “I thought the WNBA was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’d try it for a couple years. That way I could save some money for law school.”
Thompson said she had “no idea” her playing career would span 17 years, saying, “I was lucky my body held up and I never had any major injuries.”
The new coach already is familiar with 6-7 Longhorns post Imani McGee-Stafford, who, like Thompson, is a Los Angeles native.
Thompson’s arrivals begs the question: If she played one-on-one against fellow assistant coach and former Longhorns great Travis Mays, who would win?
“I’m going to let them answer that question,” Aston said. “I’ll predict each one will say they’d win.”
!!! #hookem!
