Oregon women’s basketball head coach Kelly Graves finalized his 2022-23 coaching staff with the hiring of Sadie Edwards as an assistant coach.
A 2018 graduate of USC, Edwards joins the Ducks after spending the current WNBA season as basketball operations manager for the New York Liberty.
“We were all impressed during the entire process with Sadie’s knowledge and passion for the game,” Graves said. “She loves and lives basketball. Sadie excels in player development and scouting, two of the most important aspects in the game. She has a great ability to connect with people, especially our young student-athletes. Her experience as a high-level player, successful college coach, as well as her WNBA experience will positively impact our program.”
Edwards was a standout for USC from 2015-18, starting 72 of 82 games while averaging 11.1 points and 1.9 assists per game on 42.5 percent shooting. As a senior, she started all 30 games for the Trojans and averaged 12.9 points per game.
“I am so excited to be joining the staff at Oregon,” Edwards said. “It is such an incredible opportunity to be able to represent an institution that competes at the highest level. I am thrilled to be a Duck and am looking forward to getting to Eugene and getting to work!”
Edwards joined the Indiana coaching staff as a graduate assistant for two seasons after graduating from USC, helping the Hoosiers go a combined 46-12 with an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Elite Eight. She then spent time as an assistant coach at Lamar before joining the Liberty.
With Edwards on staff, the Liberty reached the WNBA Playoffs this season and are currently preparing for a decisive game three against the Chicago Sky on Tuesday in the opening round. Edwards will remain with the Liberty through the end of their playoff run.
“I am very excited for Sadie and the opportunity for her to continue her coaching development under Coach Graves,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said. “Her work ethic, knowledge of the game and ability to relate to the players will be a great asset for their program. She has a very bright future ahead of her and I wish her all the best.”
Edwards has crossed paths in New York with former Oregon superstar and all-time triple-double leader Sabrina Ionescu, who has led the Liberty to the playoffs with a tremendous season that will likely see her land on the all-WNBA first team.
“Having experienced the culture Coach Graves has instilled at Oregon,” Ionescu said, “and having grown to appreciate Sadie’s basketball IQ but even more importantly her character, I can’t think of a better fit for both the Ducks and Coach Edwards.”
