- Vanessa Nygaard
Vanessa Nygaard (born
March 13 ,1975 inScottsdale, Arizona ) is a former professionalbasketball player and a collegiate assistant coach. She is currently serving as an assistant coach with theSan Antonio Silver Stars of theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA).Stanford University
After graduating from
high school inCarlsbad, California , Nygaard attendedStanford University from 1993 to 1998, and was a star player for their women's basketball team, known as "The Cardinal".During her time there, the team accumulated a combined 113-14 won-loss record, including an impressive 69-2 within the
Pacific Ten Conference , and playing on threeFinal Four teams.Nygaard graduated in 1998, majoring in American Studies.
Women's National Basketball Association
After graduating from
Stanford , Nygaard began her six-year career in theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA).Nygaard was selected by the
New York Liberty in the fourth round (39th overall pick) of the 1998WNBA Draft .She missed the 1998 and most of the 1999 seasons due to injury, but joined the starting lineup with the
Portland Fire team in 2000 and 2001 and with theMiami Sol team in 2002.Her best season came with the Sol in 2002, when she averaged 7.9 points and 3.8
rebounds per game.She has also played for the
Cleveland Rockers , theCharlotte Sting , and theLos Angeles Sparks .During the WNBA off-season, she played in professional basketball leagues in
Europe , includingGermany (2001),Spain (1999) andItaly (1998).Before the 2004 WNBA season began, Nygaard signed a
free agent contract with theHouston Comets , but was waived by the team during training camp. She signed another contract with the Comets prior to the 2005 season, but decided to announce her retirement instead.Coaching career
In 2003, Nygaard became an assistant coach for the women's basketball team at
California State University, Long Beach . The following year, in June 2004, she was hired as an Assistant Coach withPepperdine University .In March 2008, she was named as an assistant coach and video coordinator for the
San Antonio Silver Stars team in the WNBA.External links
* [http://pepperdinesports.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/nygaard_vanessa00.html Pepperdine University coaches profile and interview]
* [http://www.wnba.com/comets/news/Vanessa_Nygaard_Retires_from_W-140131-222.html April 27, 2005 Houston Comets press release of Nygaard's retirement from the WNBA]
* [http://www.wnba.com/silverstars/news/nygaard_080403.html April 3, 2008 San Antonio Silver Stars press release of Nygaard's joining the coaching staff]
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