Adia Barnes facts for kids
Barnes in 2024
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| Arizona Wildcats | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 3, 1977 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| High school | Mission Bay (San Diego, California) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Arizona (1994–1998) |
| NBA Draft | 1998 / Round: 4 / Pick: 32nd overall |
| Selected by the Sacramento Monarchs | |
| Pro career | 1998–2010 |
| Coaching career | 2011–present |
| League | Big 12 Conference |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1998 | Sacramento Monarchs |
| 1999 | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2000–2001 | Cleveland Rockers |
| 2002–2004 | Seattle Storm |
| 2004–2006 | Mersin BB |
| 2006–2007 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
| 2007–2008 | Napoli Basket Vomero |
| 2008–2009 | Libertas Trogylos |
| 2009–2010 | Pallacanestro Pozzuoli |
| As coach: | |
| 2011–2016 | Washington (assistant) |
| 2016–present | Arizona |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
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Adia Oshun Barnes (born February 3, 1977) is an American basketball coach and former player. She is currently the head coach for the University of Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team.
Adia played college basketball for the University of Arizona. She also played seven seasons in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played for teams like the Seattle Storm and Sacramento Monarchs. Adia also played basketball in other countries, including Ukraine. Later, she became a TV sports commentator.
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Adia Barnes grew up in San Diego, California. She went to Mission Bay Senior High School there. Her father, Pete Barnes, was a player in the NFL.
During her high school basketball career, Adia set an amazing record. She blocked 1112 shots. This is the most blocks ever recorded by a female high school basketball player.
College Basketball Career
Adia Barnes was 5 feet 11 inches tall. This was not very tall for a "post" player in college basketball. But the University of Arizona coach, Joan Bonvicini, saw her play. She was so impressed that she offered Adia a scholarship right away.
Adia joined the Arizona Wildcats for the 1995 season. Her strong and physical playing style reminded some people of famous player Charles Barkley. In her first year, she was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. She was the first Arizona player to win this award.
In her second year, Adia helped her team win the WNIT championship. She was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). As a junior, she led the team to their first-ever NCAA tournament. They won their first game before losing a close second game.
Adia set 22 individual records for the Arizona Wildcats. Many of these records, like career points and rebounds, are still held by her today. She was also the first woman from Arizona to be drafted into a professional basketball league.
Playing in the WNBA
Adia knew she would need to change her playing style for the pros. She worked hard to become a guard instead of a post player. She first joined the Sacramento Monarchs. She played in many games and even started some.
Later, she played for the Minnesota Lynx and Cleveland Rockers. To improve her skills, she also played basketball overseas. In 2002, she joined the Seattle Storm. The Storm coach, Lin Dunn, wanted a strong defender. Adia focused on becoming a "shut-down" defender. Her hard work helped the Storm reach the playoffs in just their third year. In 2004, Adia Barnes and the Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship!
Playing Basketball Internationally
Besides playing in the WNBA, Adia Barnes also played basketball in other countries. She played for teams in Ukraine, Italy, Israel, and Russia. Some of these teams included Dynamo Kyiv, Priolo, and UMMC Ekaterinburg. Playing overseas helped her develop her skills even more.
Life as a Sports Commentator
In 2007, Adia started working as a color commentator for the Seattle Storm radio broadcasts. She had some experience from commenting on the 2006 FIBA World Championship games. By 2012, she was doing broadcasts for both radio and TV. She also commented on Seattle University women's basketball games.
Becoming a Coach
Adia's former college coach, Joan Bonvicini, first asked her about coaching. At that time, Adia was still playing professionally. But she enjoyed working at basketball camps.
In 2011, Kevin McGuff, the new head coach at the University of Washington, convinced her to try coaching. She became an assistant coach for the Huskies. Then, on April 4, 2016, Adia Barnes became the head coach for the University of Arizona women's basketball team.
Her first few years as a head coach were challenging. But in her third season, the Wildcats started strong. They finished the regular season with 17 wins. This was their best record since 2010–11. They then entered the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
Adia led the Wildcats to the WNIT Final. They won the championship in 2019! This was a big achievement for the team. In 2021, her team beat Indiana to reach the school's first-ever NCAA Final Four. On April 2, 2021, the Wildcats made history again. They beat the University of Connecticut Huskies to reach the school's first NCAA tournament championship game.
Awards and Achievements
Adia Barnes has received many awards for her basketball skills and coaching:
- 1995—Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year
- 1996—WNIT Most Valuable Player
- 1998—Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year
- 1998—AP All-American (third team)
- 1998—U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-American (first team)
- University of Arizona—Career points: 2237
- University of Arizona—Single season points: 653
- University of Arizona—Single game points: 35
- University of Arizona—Career rebounds: 921
- 2003—Inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame
Personal Life
Adia Barnes married Salvo Coppa on July 4, 2012. He is also a basketball coach whom she met in Italy. They have two children together.
See Also
- List of NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring leaders
