Social media reaction: Cal, NBA, WNBA personalities on Cavaliers' historic hiring of Lindsay Gottlieb
Key members of the basketball community shared support on social media Wednesday after the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Cal women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Gottlieb led the Golden Bears for eight seasons before becoming the first women's collegiate head coach to make the jump to coaching in the NBA. In a press release from Cal, Gottlieb said:
Today I was able to realize a lifelong dream as I accepted a job with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. For the better part of 15 years, I have been able to call the University of California home. The ability to be the head coach at Cal, to mentor and impact young women, has been the greatest honor and privilege.
Reaction from around the sports world started to pour in almost immediately surrounding the historic hire:
Former Cal and current Connecticut Sun players Kristine Anigwe and Layshia Clarendon
If you know even a little bit about me then you know how much this woman means to me. How she has shaped and changed my life. I love her beyond words.This is just the beginning. She is truly something special. pic.twitter.com/HPFKUXNdED
— Kristine (@KristineAnigwe) June 12, 2019
LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!!! Wow, wow, wow one day women being hired in the NBA won’t be news worthy, it’ll be just another cool person who got hired for an open position. BUT TODAY ITS HISTORICALLY NEWS WORTHY!! This is why we are fighting this fight. Congrats! @CalCoachG https://t.co/qgaVDLKbap
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) June 12, 2019
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr
"I think the Women's game has gotten so much better" @warriors head coach Steve Kerr discusses @SwinCash & Lindsay Gottlieb (@CalCoachG) landing #NBA positions, and the overall quality of the #WNBA pic.twitter.com/Uji1YwGIW3
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 12, 2019
Tennis legend and women's equality activist Billie Jean King
Another fantastic hire in the NBA this week! Congratulations to Lindsay Gottlieb, new assistant coach for the @cavs. @CalCoachG is the first women’s collegiate head coach recruited to an #NBA coaching staff. #trailblazer #HireWomen https://t.co/IKRC85Wd5v
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 12, 2019
Pac-12 Networks' Ashley Adamson
Amazing. Congratulations @CalCoachG! A big loss for the Pac-12 but I couldn't be happier for you. https://t.co/ypbymwhzMz
— Ashley Adamson (@AdamsonAshley) June 12, 2019
Former Cal men's player, and current Memphis Grizzlies PF, Ivan Rabb
@CalCoachG congrats coach ! Go Bears https://t.co/fcltQi7IO6
— Ivan Rabb (@YoungIvee) June 12, 2019
New Cavs head coach John Beilein as part of Cleveland's press release on the hiring
John Beilein is excited about the addition of Lindsay Gottlieb to his coaching staff.#Cavs #Bethefight pic.twitter.com/zhrbWyIBzC
— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationCP) June 12, 2019
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