Lieberman to coach team in BIG3 league
NEW YORK » Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman will coach a team in the BIG3 this season.
Lieberman, a former basketball star who has coached in the NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League, will lead the Power team, the league announced Wednesday. She replaces Clyde Drexler, who recently accepted a job as commissioner of the 3-on-3 league of former NBA players.
“Nancy is one of the sharpest basketball minds and also one of the most competitive,” Drexler said. “Her experience and basketball acumen will stand out in the BIG3, which is filled with star players and coaches.”
Lieberman was a threetime All-American at Old Dominion and two-time U.S. Olympian. She was a head coach in the WNBA and the Dallas Mavericks’ minor league affiliate, plus an assistant for the Sacramento Kings.
“It’s an honor and privilege for me to be a part of the BIG3 and its vision,” Lieberman said. “We have former NBA players and Hall of Fame coaches who still love the game, have a deep respect for the competition, and a passion to play competitive basketball. It’s in our DNA.”
Co-founded by entertainer Ice Cube, the league returns this summer for its second season. The halfcourt league played in 10 cities, and the Power finished fourth out of eight teams.
“Nancy’s a winner, and I expect her to win in this league,” Cube said.
Korver leaves team after brother’s death
CLEVELAND » Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver has been excused from the team to be with family following the death of a younger brother.
The team issued a statement late Tuesday night saying Korver’s brother, Kirk, died earlier in the day.
“We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt best to Kyle and his entire family as they go through this very difficult time,” the Cavs said.
Korver is expected to miss Wednesday’s home game against Toronto.
Korver, in his second season with Cleveland, left the Cavs last week after his 27-year-old brother became seriously ill in Iowa. He played in Monday night’s home win over Milwaukee, scoring 12 points.
Korver’s personal situation comes one day after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue stepped away from the team for health reasons.
Ex-Hawks employee sues
ATLANTA » A former Atlanta Hawks employee is accusing the club of discriminating against white people and firing her after she complained.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Margo Kline filed a lawsuit Friday seeking punitive damages and a trial. The lawsuit says Hawks external affairs director David Lee, who is black, promoted a culture of discrimination against white people, and especially white women.
Kline, who is white, worked as a community development coordinator for five years before her March 2017 firing.
The lawsuit says Lee would make jokes about “white culture,” hiring and promoting black employees — who Kline said were less qualified — over white people.