Kahleah Copper of WNBA’s Chicago Sky returns to Rutgers as assistant coach

Kahleah Copper is making a triumphant return to Rutgers as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, a program where she built her own athletic career.

The standout wing for the Chicago Sky will assume the role of Director of Athletic Culture and Professional Development. Copper demonstrated her skills on the court during her time playing for the Scarlet Knights from 2012 to 2016, registering an impressive 14 points and 5.8 rebounds under the guidance of coach C. Vivian Stringer.

“I think it’s wild that I’m experiencing these full-circle moments,” Copper expressed in a recent phone interview. “I’m thrilled to be back and contribute to the program that shaped me into the player and person I am today. It’s an opportunity to return to where it all started for me, giving back to the program and helping to cultivate the next generation of professional athletes.”

Rutgers coach Coquese Washington revealed the players’ wide-eyed expressions when she announced Copper’s role as coach—a player who secured the 2021 WNBA title with Chicago.

This isn’t Copper’s initial venture into coaching. In the 2020-21 season, she served as an assistant for the Purdue University Northwest basketball team, an experience that deepened her appreciation for coaching.

“I value scouts more, and I’ve learned the significance of being a consistent leader and player,” she commented. “You see the difference it makes when a leader is consistently dedicated every day.”

Copper recounted her phone call with Washington this summer, where she was asked to return as a coach.

“We discussed her journey of balancing playing and coaching. What inspired her to make that transition,” Copper shared. “We delved into my time at Purdue Northwest and the impact it had on me. I grew to love coaching.”

Washington echoed Copper’s story, having started as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Notre Dame, while playing in the WNBA. She was recruited by her college coach, Hall of Famer Muffet McGraw.

“Talking to Kahleah, I told her I was in the same position. I understand your mindset during the offseason,” Washington reflected. “You want to maintain physical fitness, along with managing marketing and business commitments. That’s where our conversations stemmed from.

“She’s a finals MVP, a WNBA champion, and a national team player. This encapsulates the qualities required to be an elite player.”

The Philadelphia native was drafted seventh by the Washington Mystics in 2016 and later traded to Chicago in 2017. Copper earned MVP honors after averaging 17.7 points and maintaining a shooting percentage of 52% from the field in the playoffs that season.

Copper, who has experience playing overseas in Belgium, Turkey, and other locations during the offseason, joins the ranks of WNBA players making their way into college coaching this season. Notable names include Rhyne Howard at Florida, Ariel Atkins at Michigan, Rachel Banham at Minnesota, and Brionna Jones at Maryland.

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