How one Unrivaled basketball coach went from blogger to first in command

Just a few years ago, Andrew Wade was a sports blogger.

In 2018 he Article published discuss the advantages and disadvantages of washington wizards Traded Bradley Beal. In 2019 he dive His favorite NBA team's 3-point shot.

Wade, a senior, loves basketball and after playing three years of college basketball at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., he wanted to immerse himself in the sport as much as possible.

Now, the longtime basketball enthusiast will have the opportunity to coach some of the best women's basketball players in the world, including perennial MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas and four-time All-Star Kayla McBride. Masu.

Wade, currently an assistant coach with the Washington Mystics, has been named one of six head coaches for Unrivaled, a new women's professional 3-on-3 basketball league that launches in Miami on January 17th. Body.

“I’m excited to be in the head seat for the first time,” he said. “I’m excited to take on that challenge and pressure.”

Wade will lead the Shoelace Club, which has five members. WNBA Players representing four WNBA teams (Kelsey Plumb was sixth but left last week).

race player: Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx), Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces), Stephanie Dolson (Washington Mystics)

He's ready for that experience.

“Obviously, from a growth and certain opportunity standpoint, [Unrivaled] It’s phenomenal for the players,” Wade said. “But for me, having been in the W-League for six years, having been a bit behind the scenes, to have the chance to be a head coach is a great opportunity. I’m very excited about every opportunity.”

It was a long journey. He began his career in 2019 as the video coordinator for the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards' G League affiliate) and the Washington Mystics. That initial experience eventually turned into a more permanent player development role for the Mystics.

But even before Wade was officially paid for the job, he was hired as a player development officer in the hopes of eventually securing more professional opportunities.

“I come from the player development video field, and the biggest thing I recommend is just keep busy,” Wade said. “Make yourself available. A lot of the time I was doing video work and player development work before the opportunity came. I was working with my teammates in college and playing professionally overseas. I was training my friends to do it.”

Andrew Wade has coaching experience in both the G League and WNBA.

Wade is one of several Unrivaled coaches who have managed to get excited about both the men's and women's games. And for him, coaching is essentially the same regardless of gender.

“I always tell the truth. It's about relationships first,” Wade said. “That carries over from the G League to the W. I definitely spent more time with the W: six years. So I feel a lot more at ease with the W players and the league officials.” He's got a feel for it. He's just knowledgeable about the whole league.”

In addition to the sheer experience he has, a big part of what has drawn Wade to the WNBA as of late is due to the WNBA's more diverse style of play.

“In the WNBA now, you'll see a lot of teams in our league play with their elbows and still play with their posts,” he said. “You're going to see big handles and pick-and-rolls that are starting to make their way into the NBA. There's a lot more diversity in personnel from team to team. Every night, we're practicing something different, we're writing scripts. That's the beauty and the challenge, and that's why I enjoy it so much.”

Andrew Wade has long prioritized building relationships.

During his introductory press conference for Unrivaled, Andrew Wade reiterated that building relationships is central to his coaching philosophy.

“I've made a mark in this league by being honest with players, building relationships and telling them the truth,” Wade said. “That's what led to a lot of my success over the last six years in the W League and two seasons in the G League. I'm a very relationship-oriented person.”

One of those relationships is with Steph Dolson. Dolson, a veteran member of the Mystics and a member of the 2020 Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic 3×3 basketball team, is someone Wade has had a close relationship with and will be instrumental in his transition. It should be.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

“She's one of the players I've been responsible for this past year,” he said. “We developed a relationship that was more than just a coach and player. She felt comfortable talking to me about anything, and I always had no problem telling her the truth. We have an amazing relationship.”

During his eight weeks in Miami, Wade once again has the opportunity to work closely with Dolson, while also working closely with Lynx standout guards Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, Ace rookie Katie Martin, Sun Star Alyssa Thomas and others. Build a relationship with He is looking forward to forming close bonds with each of the five players as they compete in three-on-three games three times a week.

“People are important in this business,” Wade said. “That's the biggest thing for me. Establishing that trust early and maintaining it throughout the season is the most important thing for me. This experience is very important for the players and that's why we That's why everyone is here. I want them to feel free to ask me anything. I want this to be about their growth, their development, and ultimately their victory.”

In fact, with his emphasis on relationship building, Wade asks his players for their opinions rather than talking. in Tell them what to do.

“I'm not going to sit here from day one and say, 'Hey, Kelsey, here are three things I want you to work on by the end of March,'” Wade said. “I have my opinions, but I'm very open and willing to listen to their opinions.”

Wade co-stars with Theresa Weatherspoon and Phil Handy in Unrivaled

The complete list of Unrivaled head coaches includes: Teresa Weatherspoon, former WNBA star and head coach of the Chicago Sky; Phil Handy is famous for being a longtime NBA assistant. Adam Harrington is a former NBA player with eight years of experience as an NBA assistant coach. DJ Sackmann is a renowned skills coach who founded Hoopstudy. and Nora Henry, player development coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Photo by Emily Chin/Getty Images

Wade may not have the name recognition of other unrivaled coaches like Weatherspoon and Handy, but he is happy to be with them.

“I couldn't be more excited to join the legends and great coaching staff I've admired for years,” Wade said. “I'm sure a lot of people were looking up, 'Who is Andrew Wade?'” I've been working behind the scenes at W for the past six years. ”

And while Wade will be competing against other coaches, he's also looking forward to learning from them.

“I'm so grateful to be with some of the legends of this game,” he said. “I’m really excited again and interested to see how they coach and what their plans are from there.

Unrivaled is on Andrew Wade's mind as he looks forward.

Wade is expected to begin his tenure at Unrivaled soon. At the same time, he doesn't exactly know his future in the WNBA given the Mystics' recent personnel changes. The Mystics fired Eric Thibault, who Wade had worked as an assistant with, this fall. Thibault is now set to serve as an assistant coach with the Lynx under Cheryl Reeve.

“Right now, I'm working with the intention of being part of the Mystics staff next year,” he said.

Either way, he is looking forward to the personal growth this unique opportunity will bring.

“This is my first time in the head seat,” Wade said. “So I can't tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity in all of the growth areas, from sub-patterns to implementing attacks and defenses through messaging, to sitting in that leadership seat for the first time.”