Indian-American appointed NBA basketball assistant coach for Memphis team

Memphis Grizzlies, an American professional basketball team which competes in NBA, has hired an Indian-American as its assistant coach. Sonia Raman joins Vin Bhavnani (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Roy Rana (Sacramento Kings) as only coaches of Indian origin in National Basketball Association.

Raman becomes 14th female assistant coach in history of NBA and 10th among current coaching staffers in league. She becomes seventh female coach to be hired as an assistant in league since beginning of 2019-20 season. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, she replaces Niele Ivey, ar women's assistant coach who left for a head coaching position at University of tre Dame.

"She has a high basketball IQ and a tremendous ability to teach game, as well as a strong passion for game," head coach Taylor Jenkins said.

"She is going to be a great addition to our current coaching staff."

Raman had served as head coach of women's basketball team at Massachusetts Institute of Techlogy (MIT) since 2008. She guided programme to ir first championships with consecutive NEWMAC (New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference) titles in 2018 and 2019. She is "winningest coach" in programme's history, according to her official bio on MIT's athletic website.

She began her coaching career at Tufts University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations in 1996. After a two-year stint with her alma mater, she spent six years as top assistant coach at Wellesley College before joining MIT.

"I'm thrilled to have opportunity to be part of Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff. I can't wait to get to Memphis and get started with Taylor, his staff and team's emerging young core," Raman said.

"I must also give a truly special thank you to MIT and women I've had hour of coaching for past 12 years. I wish programme continued success."  

(Im Credits: www.nba.com)