WNBA Chicago Sky

Chicago Sky hires assistant coach

December 7, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


CHICAGO - Steve Key has been named Assistant Coach of the Chicago Sky by general manager and head coach Dave Cowens. Key comes to the Sky with more than 10 years of professional basketball playing experience in Europe and three years of head coaching experience.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help coach women's basketball," said Key, "I think that women's basketball is fundamentally more sound. They act as a nucleus...they have more of a team functioning offense, which makes their individual talents shine better."

Key, 6'4", is a former point guard for Boston University where he played for Coach Mike Jarvis from 1986-1990. After playing one season with the CBA on the now defunct San Jose Jammers, Key decided to take his game overseas. He has played for several leagues throughout Germany and Austria.

Key retired from playing basketball three years ago. He took over as head coach for the Dusseldorf Magics in Dusseldorf, Germany, a Division 2 men's basketball league. Key led the team from 5th to 3rd place in the division after only one year.

"I think coming to the Chicago Sky is a perfect opportunity for me to implement the many hats I had to wear as a head coach--where I had to function as the assistant coach, scout, recruiter and sometimes the housing locater for the players."

"I think I will also be instrumental in bringing a unique experience of meshing the European game of basketball with the American game," said Key. Approximately 60 percent of WNBA players have international experience.

Key has known Cowens for 16 years. During Key's short stints in the summer off seasons, he would come to the United States and participate in Dave Cowens' Basketball School in Boston.

Key says he and Cowens share the same philosophy of playing hard and playing smart.

"My mission is to learn all I can to become a better coach. I want to learn everything I can from the athletic trainer, to marketing and public relations," said Key, "Our players will give us the effort and we will give them an opportunity to win."

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