Nancy Lieberman to coach team in BIG3 league

Hall-of-Fame-basketball-player-Nancy-Lieberman-speaks-at-a-dedication-for-DreamCourt-in-Kalamazoo,-Mich.,-Thursday,-Sept.-1,-2016.-(Mark-Bugnaski-/Kalamazoo-Gazette-MLive-Media-Group-via-AP)

Hall of Fame basketball player Nancy Lieberman speaks at a dedication for DreamCourt in Kalamazoo, Mich., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. (Mark Bugnaski /Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)

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 three-time 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 honour 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 half-court 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.

The season kicks off June 22 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

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