"Every
assistant coach aspires to be a Head Coach," said Thompson. "I am truly
excited to have this opportunity to lead the Houston Comets in a very successful
season. I am following behind a legend and I want to follow in his footsteps.
In the time I have worked with the Comets, I have been like a sponge learning
everything there is to learn. I am ready."
Before Thompson joined the Comets in 2005 she was with the Los Angeles Sparks organization for eight years. She served as an assistant coach and was later promoted again to interim co-head coach. Thompson helped lead the Sparks in two championships (2001, 2002).
"We are ecstatic to have Karleen Thompson as our Head Coach and General Manager," said Owner, Hilton Koch. "She has played and served in all positions that the General Manager and Head Coach will be responsible for. She is loved by her players, colleagues, and fans. She embodies the Comets mission statement in all she does. Thompson has had success at every level she has been at, and her knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience will help build the Comets into a championship contender."
About
the WNBA
In 2007 the WNBA will tip off its second decade of play and will
feature a record number of national telecasts. Comprehensive coverage of the WNBA
regular season will include 91 national telecasts on ABC, ESPN2 and NBA TV. The
season will formally tip off on May 19 when the defending champion Detroit Shock
hosts the Sacramento Monarchs in a rematch of last year's WNBA Finals. The WNBA
All-Star Game will be played at Verizon Center in Washington, DC on July 15 at
3:30 pm ET with live coverage on ABC.
In 2006, the WNBA concluded its historic tenth season with an action-packed WNBA Playoffs. The 2006 WNBA Finals presented by Vonage capped a playoff run in which the WNBA saw significant increases in attendance and viewership. The Finals, which aired live on ESPN2, saw the Detroit Shock top the Sacramento Monarchs in the first WNBA Finals match up ever to go to a fifth and deciding game