Kahleah Copper’s Rutgers Comeback Leaves Players Thrilled and Excited

Kahleah Copper, the celebrated WNBA standout known for her time with the Chicago Sky, is making a triumphant return to her alma mater. Rutgers University, where Copper’s basketball journey first took off, is excited to welcome her back. This time, however, it’s not as a student-athlete, but as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team.

During her collegiate years from 2012 to 2016, Copper left a lasting impression at Rutgers under coach C. Vivian Stringer. Now, she will be contributing to the program as the director of athletic culture and professional Development.

The addition of Copper to the coaching staff is a significant event for Rutgers, as head coach Coquese Washington has expressed great anticipation and eagerness within the team. With her recent accomplishment of winning the 2021 WNBA title with the Chicago Sky, Copper brings valuable experience and prestige, providing invaluable mentorship for aspiring athletes. When the announcement was made to the players about the arrival of a WNBA champion as a coach, their eyes brimmed “big as saucers,” as noted by Washington.

During her time at Rutgers, Copper made a name for herself with an impressive 14-point average and 5.8 rebounds per game. Reflecting on her return, she shared with Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press, “I’m thrilled to be back and contribute to the program that shaped me into the player and person I am today. I’m excited to return to my roots and give back to the program while helping develop the next generation of pros.”

Beyond her remarkable playing career, Copper also has coaching experience, having served as an assistant coach at Purdue University Northwest during the 2020-21 season, providing her with a deep understanding of the coaching dynamics.

Her transition from player to coach was facilitated by a conversation with Washington. Drawing from her own experience transitioning from the WNBA to collegiate coaching, Washington understood the parallels in their journeys.

“Having a conversation with Kahleah, I empathized with her because I came from a similar background. I understand the offseason demands, such as staying in shape and the marketing and business responsibilities. These were the conversations we had… She’s a finals MVP, a WNBA champion, plays on the national team. This is as good as it gets in terms of what it takes to be an elite-level player,” Washington said.

Copper’s return to Rutgers marks another remarkable example of a WNBA player shifting to collegiate coaching. Her story is reminiscent of other WNBA stars like Rhyne Howard, Ariel Atkins, Rachel Banham, and Brionna Jones, who have also assumed coaching roles at various universities.

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Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.