A short drive or Metra South Shore Line trip from the Chicago Loop will find one at Hammond, Indiana – virtually a stone’s throw from the Illinois-Indiana state line and also the home of Purdue Northwest University.
As Kahleah Copper is one of the rising stars for the Chicago Sky, it is only fitting that her next women’s basketball venture will have her remaining in the Chicagoland area.
Chicago Sky’s Kahleah Copper will join our women’s basketball staff for the 2020-21 season. Welcome to PNW Kahleah!#RoarPride https://t.co/kKCbZtZtKG
— PNW Pride (@PNWathletics) November 30, 2020
Courtney Locke, coach of the Pride, announced the hiring of Copper as one of the team’s assistant coaches for this season.
Locke and Copper have a Rutgers connection where combined they made five appearances to the NCAA tournament under the tutelage of C. Vivian Stringer.
I’ve had so many amazing assistant coaches who have been a big part of my life and now I want to be that for these young women. I’m eager to learn another side of basketball which helps me as an active pro with my leadership skills and learning the game more in depth.
–Kahleah Copper, assistant coach, Purdue Northwest (release)
Kahleah is an intelligent basketball player, and that will certainly provide her the foundation to be an exceptional coach who will be able to not only talk, but teach and demonstrate on the court.
–C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers coach (release)
Copper averaged nearly 15 points per game last season in 2020’s wubble, guiding the Sky to a playoff appearance.
We are cut from the same cloth which makes this an easy transition. Kahleah’s experience in the WNBA gives her instant credibility and the ability to relate to our team. I’m excited for our student athletes and the opportunity they will get to lean from one the best first-hand.
–Courtney Locke, Purdue Northwest coach (release)
