Topics

More

Former Lady Lion Tanisha Wright Signs Five-Year Contract Extension As Coach Of Atlanta Dream

Tanisha Wright is staying in Atlanta.

The former Penn State women’s basketball player and 2022 AP WNBA Coach of the Year signed a contract extension that will keep her at the helm of the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. The team announced that both Wright and general manager Dan Padover earned five-year extensions.

β€œOur staff and players set a foundation last year and knowing that ownership trusts us to accomplish the goals that we have all set is exciting,” Wright said in a release. “This level of commitment and stability will allow us to take the long view as we build our team and our culture, and attract quality professionals and players in pursuit of a championship.”

Wright has only spent one year as the coach in Atlanta, where she took the team to double-digit wins for the first time since 2018. She also coached rookie Rhyne Howard to an All-Star appearance and the Kia Rookie of the Year Award.

Working as the head coach of the Dream is Wright’s second coaching gig, as she spent time as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces.

Wright was a Lady Lion from 2001 to 2005 and scored nearly 2,000 points in 134 games. From 2003 to 2005, Wright was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earned second-team All-American honors in 2005.

After leaving Penn State, Wright spent nine years with the Seattle Storm from 2005 to 2014 and helped lead the franchise to its second title in 2010.

After leaving the Storm, Wright spent two years with the New York Liberty and a year with the Minnesota Lynx before returning to the Liberty in 2019. She also intermittently spent time playing in Israel, Poland, France, and Turkey.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Joe Lister

Joe is a senior journalism major at Penn State and Onward State's managing editor. He writes about everything Penn State and is single-handedly responsible for the 2017 Rose Bowl. Don't hesitate to buy him a pitcher at Cafe 210, please. For dumb stuff, follow him on Twitter (iamjoelister). For serious stuff, email him ([email protected]).

Four-Time World Champion Kyle Dake Forging Legacy Through Wrestling & Wellness

After clinching a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dake returned to State College to operate Vitality Wellness Club downtown.

Defensive Specialist Dan Connor Handling Penn State Football In-Helmet Communication

Penn State’s defense has allowed 285 total yards and seven points since the change.

Balance Crucial As Penn State Women’s Volleyball Nears Midseason

“It’s something we talk about every day in practice. You never know when you’re going to have your opportunity.”

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
60.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers