Lieberman breaks another basketball gender barrier

DALLAS (AP) — The first woman to play pro basketball with guys is also the first hired to coach them.

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was introduced Thursday as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate in the NBA Development League, which will tip off next November.

Lieberman is excited about the chance to help prepare players for the NBA and, of course, about breaking another gender barrier. She broke through as a player with the United States Basketball League in 1986.

Mavericks president Donnie Nelson is among the owners of the D-League team and it was his idea to hire her. This is no publicity stunt – she’s been a coach before and has run camps in the Dallas area for 26 years.

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