Dream's Lehning Hired As Assistant
January 7, 2010 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Atlanta Dream News Release
ATLANTA, Ga. - Atlanta Dream point guard Shalee Lehning has been hired by the Kansas State Wildcats as an assistant coach.
Lehning, a second round draft pick (25th overall) of the Dream in 2009 and a former Wildcat All-American guard, replaces Abdria Jones who has stepped down to work in the private sector.
"I am extremely excited for this unbelievable opportunity to coach at Kansas State University," said Lehning. "As a former player at K-State, I take great pride in this university and the women's basketball program. I have the utmost respect for Coach Patterson, her coaching staff and this program. I am honored to have the chance to help take our program to new heights."
Lehning helped Atlanta secure a franchise record 18 wins this season after recording just four in its debut season in 2008. The 14-win improvement is the second-biggest turnaround in WNBA history.
The Sublette, Kan., native led the Dream in assists per game at 3.8 (125 total assists) and ranked 10th in the league in the category and was the league leader among rookies. Her assists/40 minutes played average of 7.2 ranked second in the WNBA and first among rookies. Her assists/turnover ratio ranked eighth in the WNBA at 2.31.
Lehning also averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game while playing in all 33 regular season games in her debut season.
She registered three triple-doubles during the 2008-09 season to set the Big 12 and school records for triple-doubles in a season and owns five for her career, which is tied for third in NCAA history for triple-doubles.
"Shalee has been a tremendous asset to our Atlanta team, and we are thrilled she will be able to nurture other young women in their sports careers, " said Kathy Betty, owner of the Atlanta Dream. "Her passion for the game, her leadership and on-court skills will be an asset to Kansas State. We in Atlanta are proud that our team has such a broad reach."
Lehning will continue to play with the Atlanta Dream, while also assisting the Wildcats. She is the second assistant coach in the Patterson era to coach and also play in the WNBA at the same time.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from January 7, 2010
- Sparks Partner with "I Have A Dream Foundation" - Los Angeles Sparks
- Dream's Lehning Hired As Assistant - Atlanta Dream
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