Lieberman will help run Hawaii clinics

Women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman already has her first client lined up when she returns to Hawaii this fall.

Lieberman, the Basketball Hall of Famer and coach of the NBA D-League Texas Legends, will be in the islands to help run the second year of the adidas Hoops Clinics for kids and coaches in conjunction with the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

University of Hawaii women’s basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias jumped at the chance to pick up some tips. She’s already set aside time to meet up with the "first" lady of hoops in September.

Lieberman, 52, made a living out of firsts from her days growing up on the courts of New York City. The scrappy point guard was the first high-schooler to medal for an Olympic basketball team (1976), first woman to play in a men’s professional league (1986), and more recently, first woman to coach NBA hopefuls in the D-League (2010).

"Everyone, especially for my generation and playing days, knows very well of Nancy Lieberman and her pioneering ways and what she stood for for women’s athletics, especially women’s basketball players," Takahara-Dias said. "I think she’s going to be a great resource and inspiration for me."

Lieberman, in a recent phone interview while vacationing on Maui, laughed about her conversation with the UH coach. "She’s like, ‘Ohmygosh, I’m in, I’m in. We’ll get people to these three clinics.’ "

Lieberman will join ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, Maui Invitational tournament chair David Odom and new Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird at the clinics, Sept. 28 and 29 on Oahu and Oct. 1 on Maui. Fraschilla asked Lieberman to join them this year, and Lieberman, who’s been to Hawaii "eight or nine" times, didn’t hesitate in accepting. She has fond memories here going back to the Hoop It Up tournaments of the 1990s.

"We’re willing and wanting to share what we know on all levels to this community," she said.

For most of her life, Lieberman has absorbed knowledge from the who’s who of the national basketball community. When she’s not imparting that to her Legends players, she sends it out to others via a daily inspirational message or, when she can, in clinics.

"I get to tell people everything I know," an excited Lieberman said, ticking off a mental checklist of A-list basketball names that she’s borrowed tactics from. "I’m like Robin Hood. I take from the rich and give it to people who might not have access to it. It’s like being Oprah."

For Takahara-Dias, who is entering her third year in Manoa, Lieberman’s appearance can’t be missed.

"She’s such a great role model and icon and a wealth of knowledge for me to pick her brain," Takahara-Dias said. "That will help our program out. She was very gracious and accommodating, and I’d really love to have an opportunity to sit down and chat with her."

The clinics for kids and coaches cost $25. Sites are TBA. Registration is at goswords.com.