Liberty to hire Lynx assistant Walt Hopkins as next head coach, source confirms
Minnesota Lynx assistant coach Walt Hopkins will become the eighth head coach in Liberty history, a source confirmed.
The Associated Press first reported that Hopkins, who has been an assistant for the Lynx since 2017, would be announced as the team’s new coach Wednesday at Barclays Center. The team, which was bought by Nets owner Joe Tsai last year, will play home games at Barclays Center this season.
Previous coach Katie Smith's contract wasn't renewed after the season ended in September. The team has the first pick in the WNBA Draft in April and most likely will select Oregon star guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Hopkins comes to New York after three years as Cheryl Reeve’s assistant with the Lynx from 2017-2019 and one year with the Tulsa Shock as a player development coach.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
More WNBA
