If Becky Hammon has announced this season that she will soon be leaving the NBA, seizing an opportunity in the WNBA when the one who seemed to be waiting for her in San Antonio still does not want to offer herself to her, the Blazers are very likely the franchise that s has been the most feminized in recent years.
The promotion of Jessica Cohen to the post of chief physical trainer was thus a first in the Big League. Former two-time WNBA champion Sheri Sam was also recently hired to work as a scouting manager. And then, within the team itself, in the staff of Chauncey Billups, it is another woman: Edniesha Curry who brings her talent and expertise to the Oregon franchise.
“I’m just happy to be part of an NBA franchise,” advance Curry on Sportsnet. “They hire good people who turn out to be women. Amazing women who are really good at their job. They are valued for the work they do, not just their gender. “
A graduate of Oregon University (after a stint at Cal-State Northridge), Curry is quite simply the best 3-point shooter in Northridge history, tracing her love affair with the orange ball to the summer 1996, when the American selection led by Lisa Leslie had atomized the competition at the Atlanta Olympics with 8 victories in as many games to go and conquer the gold medal.
“For me, these 96 Olympic Games were incredible. When I saw Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes and all that team in Atlanta, that’s when I thought I wanted to be a basketball player. After that, I always wanted to be a Division I athlete. [universitaire]. “
Selected 41st pick in the 2002 Draft, Curry played in the WNBA for two seasons, one in Phoenix and the other in Los Angeles with the Sparks, before ending her career on the other side of the Atlantic, with visits to Greece, Poland, Israel and Hungary.
1m63 strong woman!
After hanging up the sneakers, Curry nearly as dryly snagged the coaching pad. Before arriving in the NBA this year for his first year on the staff of Chauncey Billups, Curry went through the NCAA at the University of Maine, but also Vietnam, China, Israel and Palestine!
“One of the biggest differences is just the relationship with the guys. It’s one of the things I like the most about this job. I get plenty of time to get to know them on the go. This is something that is hard to do with all NCAA rules. For me, it is a real pleasure to be able to discuss with them. “
More importantly, she followed the course of the program set up by the League for Assistant Coaches, participating in particular in the Draft Combine and the G-League Showcase. One of his mentors is former Raptors coach Butch Carter.
“I learned a lot from him, how to be professional, accept the different stages of his career and be aware that there will be ups and downs. One of the most important things is to surround yourself with good people who will help you learn and grow along the way. “
If she has not yet dared to embark on a 3-point contest with the Blazers players whom she takes care of on a daily basis (or almost), Curry honors her surname, definitely heavy to bear when one evolves in the ultra-competitive world of the NBA.
“I shoot a little with them but I don’t try to show off too much with my career”smiles Edniesha Curry. ” [J’adorerais affronter] Klay Thompson and Lady [dans un concours à 3-points]. “
