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P-D: Congratulations, Coach. Was game, because we didn’t play above response. My phone is still
this jump from the women’s game the rim, you know? Everything blowing up. It speaks volumes to
to men’s something you always had to be detail-oriented. Our the basketball community, men
had in mind? fundamentals had to be solid. The or women. Memphis completely
Ivey: “I just wanted to get out of my way we set screens. Passing. Angles. embraced me. I’ve had such great
comfort zone, to be honest. I’ve had Ball handling. Shooting. All of those feedback from fans, family and
the opportunity to learn from a Hall things, very, very fundamentally friends in St. Louis, people who
of Fame coach for 12 years, and I feel sound. We didn’t have athletes that have followed my career. There are
like this was an opportunity for me you could just throw a lob to. We a lot of new Memphis Grizzlies fans.
to even grow more. Coach McGraw is have to have talent and athleticism, It’s brought positive attention. For
always learning, always growing. And but we didn’t have that (kind). So, my me, that’s awesome. I knew the
when this opportunity presented perspective is a little bit different.” magnitude of it, because I talked to
itself, she was the first person I told. P-D: Speaking of player development, Coach McGraw about it. It’s really
This was a great opportunity for me your son, Jaden, is a basketball player awesome to feel that I’m inspiring
to learn. And then it comes with who has committed to Purdue. How young girls, young women, a lot of
the whole, you will be a trailblazer, did raising and coaching him help people. That is what it’s all about. It’s
and all of that stuff. But initially, just prepare you for this new job? something I’m going to embrace. It’s
learning from a different level. Being Ivey: “When I wasn’t coaching with a door that was opened for a reason.
in one place for a long time, I’ve Notre Dame, I’m in the gym with him. I want to make everyone proud, and
always wondered how so-and-so Watching his practices, watching do a really good job.”
runs their program, or how they his AAU practices, watching how P-D: There is some symbolism in
implement their offense. I can’t wait his coaches interact with him. Being your story, right? The little girl whose
to absorb so much information. there, being a voice of reason for big brothers used to try (and fail) to
When you surround yourself with him when he was struggling with keep off the court is now coaching
greatness, it can only rub off.” things, or figuring out how he sees in the NBA.
P-D: You have said you can offer the game. I’ve had opportunities to Ivey: She laughed, and agreed.
a unique perspective to the NBA observe and watch USA Basketball. “We were playing in Fairground ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS
thanks to your time coaching the I’ve had five or six days just sitting Park in north St. Louis. When I
women’s game. Some would argue in the gym watching really great was younger, I would tag along
that basketball is basketball. What’s individual skill work, individual talent. and watch them. That’s where it
the difference, and why can it be a That’s definitely something that originated from. Then, when my
strength for the Grizzlies? made me more comfortable.” brothers were at Chaminade, I would
Ivey: “Where I learned, fundamentals P-D: Can you describe the reaction be the little girl on the floor, trying to
were really, really important. I you have received since the news of shoot at halftime. The student body
learned to perfect things in a very your hiring in Memphis? would cheer me on. It’s so funny that
detailed manner from the women’s Ivey: “It’s been such a positive it’s all come full circle.”
Approved © 2019, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“ It’s really awesome

to feel that I’m

inspiring young

girls, young
women, a lot of

people. That is
”
what it’s all about.

-NIELE IVEY ‘96

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