SEATTLE – Talisa Rhea, Seattle Storm general manager, introduced Sonia Raman as the team’s new coach at a press conference on Wednesday, a week after Raman was officially hired. Rhea highlighted Raman as a “pioneer”.
Raman makes history in the WNBA as the first person of Indian descent to be a head coach, after being the first Indian-American woman to be an NBA assistant during her four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. Raman was also one of the few full-time female assistant coaches in the NBA, after joining the Grizzlies after spending 12 seasons as a head coach of women’s basketball in the MIT Division III program.“It was clear from the first conversation we had with Sonia that there was a true alignment and the potential for a wonderful partnership,” said Rhea in her initial statement. “Sonia is a pioneer, and learning about her path and her professional trajectory to get here to Seattle was truly moving. Also, her vision for us and where we could go was very exciting.”
Talisa Rhea, general manager of the Seattle Storm
Rhea explained that the Storm conducted an “extensive” interview process with a diverse group of candidates to replace Noelle Quinn, whose contract was not renewed after five years at the helm and a 97-89 record. When conducting her first full coaching search, as Quinn was promoted from assistant coach when Dan Hughes retired mid-season, Rhea was enthusiastic about the interest she found in coaching in the WNBA in general and in the Seattle job in particular. From that group, Raman stood out.“It’s a tremendous honor and a privilege to be sitting here and be in that role,” Raman said. “It’s also a great responsibility. I’ve said it before: I’m the first, but I don’t want to be the last… I’m doing everything I can to be able to create these opportunities, open these doors, or just allow this next generation to see what’s possible.”
Sonia Raman, Seattle Storm coach
“On the court, Sonia is a leader in player analysis and development, two critical areas as our game continues to grow and evolve,” said Rhea. “She is innovative, forward-thinking, and committed to the development of players both individually and collectively as a group.”
Talisa Rhea, General Manager of the Seattle StormThe analysis and player development were areas of focus for Raman during his tenure in Memphis. After making the jump to coaching professionally for the first time with the Grizzlies, Raman spent last season as an assistant with the New York Liberty. Raman’s ability to build relationships with the players was also important to Rhea.“And then their background and experiences, I think, simply bring a different perspective that we haven’t had here.” While making her own history, Raman also follows in the footsteps of reigning Coach of the Year, Natalie Nakase, who became the first Asian-American head coach in WNBA history last October with the Golden State Valkyries. Like Raman, Nakase was an NBA assistant coach before joining the WNBA coaching ranks. She spent three years with Becky Hammon as an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces before leading the Valkyries to a playoff berth in their inaugural season, the first WNBA expansion team to achieve the feat.“There was an immediate alignment on how he approaches, first and foremost, relationships, which is where we always start,” Rhea said. “That being the foundation of how we can move forward and how we can connect with the players and really get the best out of them, individually and collectively as a team, as we try to build and move forward, that stood out.
Talisa Rhea, General Manager of the Seattle Storm
