May 14, 2003
The WNBA's Detroit Shock basketball team announced yeaterday that Korie Hlede, DU's all-time leading scorer, is joining the Shock's coaching staff. Earlier this month, the Croatia native signed with the Shock as an unrestricted free agent. But she hasn't closed the door on playing again in the WNBA.
The 5-9 Hlede, the Shock's first-ever college draft pick prior to the team's 1998 inaugural season (first round, 4th overall) has averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22.9 minutes per game during her five year WNBA career.
"Having made one of the toughest decisions in my life-not to play in the WNBA and in a place where I had such a good time-I am very excited to work as an assistant coach," Hlede said in a statement released with the announcement. "I look forward to my new role with the organization and contributing to a winning season for a young, electric Shock team that has a bright future."
"Korie is very familiar with WNBA personnel as well as overseas personnel," said Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer. "She is a very intelligent player whose New York Liberty WNBA Finals playoff experience should provide great insight into what we are trying to get accomplished with the Shock."
Hlede will join Laimbeer and Assistant Coaches Laurie Byrd and Pamela McGee on the Detroit bench for the first time tonight when the Shock hosts the Minnesota Lynx in an off-site 7:30 p.m. preseason home game at the Birch Run Expo Center.
