Atlanta Dream coach and Penn State women’s basketball alum Tanisha Wright has been named the AP WNBA Coach of the Year, becoming the first former WNBA player to earn the distinction.

Wright led Atlanta to a fifth-place finish in her first season with the team. The Dream’s 14-22 record was an improvement over their 8-24 record in 2021.

Wright was a key player for Penn State from 2001 to 2005, recording 1,995 total points in 134 games. She earned three Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards and spearheaded a successful era for the Lady Lions, who made the NCAA Tournament all four years, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2004. 

Wright was drafted No. 12 overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. She went on to play ten seasons with the Storm, as well as shorter stints with the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, before retiring in 2019.

About the Author

Adam Babetski

Adam Babetski is a senior double majoring in broadcast journalism and medieval history and is one of Onward State's associate editors. He's from the only part of Virginia without tractors and southern accents, except Richmond (reportedly). You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBabetski for hot takes about sports. For serious inquiries, email aqb6023@psu.edu.

How Centre County Voted In The 2026 Midterm Elections

Centre County saw a 55.32% voter turnout rate in the general election.

Man Accused of Stealing Vehicle From State College Hotel & Driving Drunk

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 12.

‘Blood In The Water’: Penn State Football Cornerback Audavion Collins & Secondary Elevating Surrounding Units

“He does a good job of making everyone else around him better because he’s the hardest-working guy on the field at all times.”