The Memphis Grizzlies on Friday announced that they have replaced one respected assistant coach with another assistant that is looking to make waves in the professional ranks.
Shortly after Niele Ivey departed the Grizzlies to become the new head coach of the Notre Dame women’s basketball team, Memphis has announced the hiring of former MIT head coach Sonia Raman.
“The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has added Sonia Raman as assistant coach. Raman (SOHN-ya RAH-mun) comes to Memphis following 12 seasons (2008-20) as the head women’s basketball coach at Massachusetts Institute of Technology,” the team announced, via its official website. “The Engineers enjoyed unprecedented success under Raman, winning the program’s first two New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championships (2018, 2019) and reaching the championship game in 2020.”
The simple fact that moves of this ilk are not garnering widespread praise is a testament to the inclusive nature of the current NBA under Commissioner Adam Silver. Female assistant coaches in the Association are no longer considered an exception to the rule. As for Raman, her success in the college ranks speaks for itself.
Sonia Raman helped MIT dominate
Per the program’s website, Raman was the NEWMAC Coach of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. She led the program to NEWMAC titles in 2018 and 2019, too.
A graduate of Tufts University, Raman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations before getting a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 2001. Simply put, she’s more than qualified for a position on head coach Taylor Jenkins’s staff.
The addition of more qualified women assistant coaches around the NBA coincides with the possibility that the respected Becky Hammon could earn a head coaching gig here soone. The top Spurs assistant is among the candidates for the Pacers job after they fired Nate McMillan.