It has already been a year of enormous progress for women’s basketball. Could Lindsey Harding be the author of the next chapter of the story?
Harding is set to interview for Hornets head coaching job, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, putting her in the race to become the first female head coach in NBA history. Charlotte launched a full-scale search after coach Steve Clifford announced she would step down after the season.
While Harding would be the first woman to land an NBA head coaching job if she wins the job, she won’t be the first to interview for that position. Becky Hammon and Dawn Staley interviewed for head coaching positions in 2021, although neither ended up being the team’s top choice.
It’s a matter of “when,” not “if,” a woman will make history by becoming the first female head coach in NBA history. Here’s what you need to know about Harding, who could be the one to do it.
Who is Lindsey Harding?
Harding is the head coach of the Stockton Kings of the G League, an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. She has also served as head coach of the Mexico women’s national basketball team since 2022.
Harding has enjoyed a rapid rise, as she is only 39 years old and only ended a 10-year WNBA career in 2016. Harding, a point guard drafted first overall out of Duke in 2007, split her 10 seasons with six different teams and Was in second place. nominated for WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2007.
Harding averaged 9.8 points and 4.0 assists per game, starting 210 of her 270 WNBA games. She played in the 2011 WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream.
The Kings went 24-10 in Harding’s first season on the job, earning him G League Coach of the Year honors in early April. She became the first woman to win the award, which put her on the NBA’s radars.
Harding isn’t the only candidate in the mix for the Hornets, who are expected to cast a wide net in the first coaching search during Jeff Peterson’s tenure as head of basketball operations. NBA assistants Jordi Fernandez, Charles Lee, Kevin Young and David Adelman are reportedly drawing interest from Charlotte.
Like Hammon and Staley in 2021, Harding’s interview stands out for reasons beyond basketball. At only 39 years old, her coaching future looks bright even if she doesn’t become the Hornets’ head coach.
Lindsey Harding Coach Story
Harding’s bench experience outside of international play is limited, which may be an obstacle in her pursuit of the Hornets’ head coaching job. Still, she threw herself into coaching shortly after her WNBA career ended.
Harding worked in player development and scouting for the 76ers in 2018-19 and then joined the Sacramento Kings as a player development coach. His connection to Sacramento made her an obvious choice for the organization’s G League affiliate.
Meanwhile, Harding was hired as the first head coach of the South Sudan women’s national team in 2021. She assumed the same role with the Mexico women’s national team in 2022.
The Stockton Kings announced Harding’s hiring in June 2023 and also named Anjali Ranadive, daughter of Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, as their general manager.
Harding’s early results were solid, with the Stockton Kings posting the best record in the G League’s Western Conference. That success has her poised to take another leap, with a historic leap to NBA head coach at least a possibility at this stage.