Penn State women's basketball hires new assistant coach

TL;DR

Penn State women's basketball has hired Octavia Blue as an assistant coach, adding her extensive playing and coaching experience to the staff. Blue, a former WNBA first-round draft pick, aims to contribute to the team's new direction under head coach Tanisha Wright.

Key points

Penn State women's basketball hires Octavia Blue as assistant coach
Blue has extensive playing experience, including international play
She was a first-round WNBA draft pick by the Los Angeles Sparks
Blue previously coached at St. Thomas University, St. John's, and Kennesaw State
She aims to guide the team in a new direction under Tanisha Wright

Mentioned in this story

Penn State women's basketballOctavia BlueLos Angeles SparksKennesaw State OwlsSt. John'sSt. Thomas University

With Penn State women's basketball moving in a new direction under Tanisha Wright, her new staff is continuously growing to include many different members with many different experiences. Now, the staff includes a former head coach with tons of playing experience.

On Wednesday, the Lady Lions announced that they would be adding Octavia Blue, who brings with her a highly unique experience. Not only has she played at a high level collegiately, but also has international experience as well, playing in countries such as Israel, Greece, and Poland. She also was drafted in the first round of the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, making history for the first time in her career as the first Miami Hurricane to get drafted. That would not be the last piece of history she made.

Throughout her coaching career, Blue has taken on many different roles, starting out at St. Thomas University, then moving to St. John's, before ultimately landing with her alma mater, and then getting a chance to be a head coach with the Kennesaw State Owls. While Blue ended her time with them with a losing record(61-89), she also became the fastest head coach in the program's history to reach 30 wins as well.

While Blue has had a crazy career, the Lady Lions hope that she will be a guiding force in the new era of Penn State women's basketball.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State women's basketball hires new assistant coach

Q&A

Who is Octavia Blue and what is her coaching background?

Octavia Blue is the newly hired assistant coach for Penn State women's basketball, with previous coaching roles at St. Thomas University, St. John's, and Kennesaw State, where she became the fastest head coach to reach 30 wins.

What notable achievements does Octavia Blue have in her basketball career?

Octavia Blue was drafted in the first round of the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks and is recognized as the first Miami Hurricane to achieve this milestone.

How does Octavia Blue's hiring impact Penn State women's basketball?

Her hiring is expected to bring valuable experience and guidance to the Lady Lions as they transition into a new era under head coach Tanisha Wright.