Mercury’s Kahleah Copper gives hilarious reaction to Nate Tibbetts’s USA Basketball stint
Mercury’s Kahleah Copper gives hilarious reaction to Nate Tibbetts’s USA Basketball stint appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
PHOENIX– In an eventful offseason came one event that most forgot about. The 2026 FIBA World Cup, which had an array of stars, including Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper and head coach Nate Tibbetts.
He was an assistant coach on the staff under Kara Lawson, but she had to depart due to Duke basketball making a run in the NCAA tournament.
As a result, he stepped in without much notice and led the team to some quality wins. Most notably, Tibbetts caught some attention with his coaching style.
It might’ve surprised everyone else but Copper, who explained her reaction to her WNBA head coach taking that mantle on a global stage, and if his style changed
“No,” Copper said, chuckling.
“I wanted him to be himself. Other players, this is like free agency. They get to see him coach them at the highest level and see how he can coach a great player… They really messed with him. He’s a players’ coach. He’s a cool guy.”
Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts brought ‘player’s coach’ vibes
That’s always been his mantra ever since the Mercury hired Tibbetts back in 2023: he was a player’s coach. He had a reputation for doing so as an assistant at the NBA level.
Now, it’s being showcased on the WNBA level. His mix of humility, connecting with players while demanding a high standard, is impressive for a first-time head coach.
In his third season, it seems that he’s gotten a major feel for the league and winning at the highest levels.
“It was awesome,” Tibbetts shared regarding his experience with USA Basketball. “Anytime you can be around the best players in the world, you’re lucky… I didn’t know (head coach) Kara (Lawson) going into it. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know her and seeing her style.”
“It was a great experience not only for me but my family and my two little girls to be around them for a week or 10 days in Puerto Rico.”
His experience can only grow his coaching acumen as the Mercury will look to run it back once again.
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