The Stockton Kings' Lindsey Harding made history by becoming the first woman to be named coach of the year in the NBA G League. This prestigious honor was awarded to Harding after she led the Kings to an impressive regular-season record of 24-10, the best in the league. As a result, the team secured the top seed in the Western Conference and earned a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs.
Harding's outstanding coaching performance will be recognized with the Dennis Johnson Trophy, named after the late Hall of Famer who excelled as both an NBA player and a G League coach. The voting for this accolade was conducted by her peers, including fellow coaches and general managers in the G League.
Harding's basketball journey began during her college years at Duke University, where she achieved such success that her No.10 jersey was retired in her honor. She went on to be selected as the No.1 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft and enjoyed a successful nine-year playing career before transitioning to coaching.
Prior to her current role with the Stockton Kings, Harding gained valuable experience as a player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. She then spent four seasons as an assistant and player development coach for the Sacramento Kings, starting in 2019.
Her appointment as head coach of the Stockton Kings at the beginning of this season marked a significant milestone, as she became the first Black woman to hold such a position in the history of the league. This achievement underscores the progress being made towards greater diversity and inclusion in professional basketball.
In the coach of the year voting, Tom Hankins of the Indiana Mad Ants and Kasib Powell of the Sioux Falls Skyforce finished in second and third place, respectively. However, it was Harding's exceptional leadership and coaching prowess that ultimately earned her this well-deserved recognition.
