You’d think with the explosion of women’s basketball lately—Caitlin Clark, the sold-out arenas, the TV ratings—that the coaching pipeline in the men's league would be overflowing. Honestly, it’s not. There is this weird gap between the cultural hype and the actual number of women coaches in the nba currently sitting on the sidelines.
Back in 2020, it felt like we were seconds away from a woman finally getting the big chair. Becky Hammon was the "heir apparent" in San Antonio. Fast forward to early 2026, and the landscape looks surprisingly sparse. If you aren't paying close attention, you might actually think the movement has stalled.
The Current State of Women Coaches in the NBA
Right now, as we move through the 2025-26 season, the numbers are hovering at a bit of a low point compared to the peak a few years back. We went from having roughly 11 women in assistant roles in 2020 down to just a handful today. Why the dip? It’s not necessarily a lack of talent.
Essentially, what’s happening is a "talent drain" back to the women’s game. When top-tier assistants like Sonia Raman or Natalie Nakase spent years grinding in the NBA, they became prime targets for WNBA head coaching gigs. Raman left for the Seattle Storm. Nakase is now leading the Golden State Valkyries.
Basically, the WNBA is paying more and offering higher-status roles. If you’re a brilliant tactical mind, do you stay as the third assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies, or do you take the head coaching job in the W? For most, that's an easy call.
Currently, the torch is being carried by veterans like Jenny Boucek with the Indiana Pacers and Lindsey Harding with the Los Angeles Lakers. Boucek is arguably the most influential woman in the league right now. She was a key part of the Pacers' deep 2025 playoff run, handling complex offensive schemes that turned Indiana into a scoring juggernaut.
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Breaking Down the History (It’s Longer Than You Think)
People usually think this all started with Becky Hammon in 2014. That’s a common mistake.
The real pioneer was Lisa Boyer. Back in 2001, John Lucas II hired her for the Cleveland Cavaliers. She didn't travel on the private jets or get a full-time salary, but she was there, on the floor, coaching LeBron-era predecessors. Then came Nancy Lieberman, who coached the Texas Legends (the Mavericks’ G League affiliate) before joining the Sacramento Kings in 2015.
But Hammon was the one who shattered the glass. When Gregg Popovich got ejected in a game against the Lakers in late 2020, he didn't point to a former player or a long-time male staffer. He pointed to Becky. She became the first woman to act as a head coach in a regular-season NBA game.
It was a "the future is here" moment.
The Barrier Nobody Talks About: The Pipeline
The NBA has a "former player" problem. Most head coaches are either former NBA players or guys who have been in the "brotherhood" since they were 22. Because women couldn't play in the NBA, they don't have that built-in networking advantage.
Brittni Donaldson, who has spent time with the Raptors and Hawks, is a great example of the "new" way in. She didn't rely on an NBA playing resume; she used data. She’s a math whiz who understands spatial geometry on the court better than most guys who played 10 years in the league.
But even with the rise of analytics, the hiring process is still incredibly "vibes-based." Owners and GMs often hire who they know. If you don't play golf with the GM or share an agent with the superstar point guard, you're starting three steps behind.
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Who are the active names in 2026?
- Jenny Boucek (Indiana Pacers): The tactical heart of Rick Carlisle's staff. She’s seen as one of the best "shot doctors" in the business.
- Lindsey Harding (Los Angeles Lakers): After a stellar run coaching the Stockton Kings in the G League, where she won Coach of the Year, she’s a major voice on the Lakers' bench.
- Mery Andrade (Toronto Raptors): A defensive specialist who has quietly become a staple of the Raptors' developmental program.
It’s a small group. Honestly, it's too small.
What’s Actually Next for Women Coaches in the NBA?
If the NBA is serious about hiring a female head coach, they have to stop looking at it as a PR stunt. The "first" woman head coach is going to be someone who has spent a decade in the video rooms, the G League, and the front of the bench.
We’re seeing a shift where the G League is becoming the proving ground. Lindsey Harding’s success in Stockton proved that male players—many of whom are fighting for their lives to get a 10-day contract—don't care about gender. They care about whether the coach can help them get a paycheck.
The next step isn't just "hiring more women." It's about retention. The NBA needs to make these roles attractive enough that women don't feel the need to jump to the WNBA for "real" authority.
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If you're looking to support the growth of women coaches in the nba, keep an eye on the G League rosters. That’s where the real tactical innovation is happening. Follow the careers of player development coaches like Edniesha Curry or Kristi Toliver. Their trajectory tells you more about the future of the league than any corporate diversity press release ever will.
Pay attention to the assistant coaching hires during the Summer League. That is the primary window where teams test out new voices. If you see a woman leading a Summer League squad in Las Vegas, there's a high probability she’s being fast-tracked for a front-of-bench role in the regular season. The path is narrow, but it’s still there.
Actionable Insights for Following the Pipeline:
- Watch the G League: Check the coaching staffs of teams like the Stockton Kings or South Bay Lakers. This is where the next NBA head coaches are being trained.
- Monitor Summer League: Look for who is holding the clipboard in July. Team-led Summer League roles are the ultimate audition for full-time assistant spots.
- Follow the "Coaching Tree": Coaches like Rick Carlisle and Gregg Popovich have a history of hiring based on merit rather than "the old boys' club." Keep an eye on their staffs for rising talent.