Franco-American James Wade joins the coaching staff of Team USA

Four experienced coaches join the staff of the new American women’s national team led by Cheryl Reeve. Among them, the Franco-American James Wade, recent WNBA winning coach with Chicago Sky.

It was one of his dreams to join Team USA. It’s now official: the American – naturalized French after his marriage to former international Edwige Lawson -, James “Coco” Wade joined the United States women’s national team at the age of 46 as an assistant coach and scout, alongside Vickie Johnson (Dallas Wings), Curt Miller (Connecticut Sun) and Mike Thibault (Washington Mystics).

Making an immediate impact in Chicago in his first year as WNBA head coach, the former French playmaker and Yekaterinburg assistant coach was named 2019 WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Sky in their first playoff appearance in three years. Last season, the husband of former international Edwige Lawson led Chicago to the WNBA title.

“It was a dream of mine to be involved with USA Basketball in any capacity. So I am very excited and honored to be selected for this position. I’ve always been a huge fan of their structure and dominance. As a proud American citizen, being part of this process is going to be amazing. What I will bring to the mix is ​​my work ethic and my ability to work with other people. I have already had experiences with the players and the staff, so I am looking forward to arriving and being as useful as possible. I’m ready to do whatever they need me to do,” James Wade told USA Basketball.

The new staff will begin their work in February since the United States will host a qualifying tournament for the Women’s World Cup in Washington DC from February 10 to 12 and will play against Belgium and Puerto Rico in particular.

Photo: James Wade, left (USA Basketball)