New WNBA boss brings vast NBA experience
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday dipped their hand into the NBA to find their next bench boss naming Nate Tibbetts the team’s head coach.
Tibbetts has vast experience across nearly two decades as a coach in the NBA and NBA G League.
“Nate is an excellent basketball coach and an even better person,” said Mercury General Manager Nick U’Ren. “I am excited to work with him as we build an organization that our players, fans and community will be proud of. His knowledge of the game, and commitment to creating a winning culture on and off the floor will be invaluable as we lead the Mercury into our next championship era.”
Tibbetts is the 12th head coach in Mercury history. He most recently was a assistant coach with the Orlando Magic.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome Nate to our Phoenix Mercury family,” said Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns owner. “From bringing the WNBA All-Star game to Phoenix, building a dedicated practice facility for the Mercury, and now to bringing on Nate as our head coach, everything we do, on and off the floor, centers around our fans, elevating Phoenix as the epicenter of basketball, and setting a new standard for investment in women’s sports.”
Tibbetts has coached in the NBA with the Magic, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
“My family and I are thrilled to be a part of the Mercury organization,” said Tibbetts. “The leadership, alignment and commitment from Mat Ishbia, Josh Bartelstein and Nick U’Ren made this an incredible opportunity. I look forward to being a part of the Mercury and building and sustaining a winning organization on and off the court that our community can support and rally around.”
A native of Jefferson, South Dakota, Tibbetts played collegiate basketball at the University of South Dakota where he won three conference titles and is a member of the USD Sports Hall of Fame (2014) after finishing his career as the program’s all-time leader in assists.
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