Former Canadian national team player Natalie Achonwa is entering the coaching world.
The University of Michigan women’s basketball team announced Tuesday that Achonwa will join the staff as an assistant coach for player development.
The Toronto native retired from basketball after representing Canada in Paris at her fourth Olympic games. Michigan freshman Syla Swards was teammates with Achonwa on the Canadian national team.
Achonwa played nine seasons in the WNBA and six seasons overseas during her career. She played her college ball at Notre Dame.
“We are so excited to add Natalie to our staff,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said in a statement released by the school. “One of the most decorated basketball players in Canadian history, Natalie has been successful at every level of basketball. It’s so beneficial for our student-athletes to be around and learn from women who have achieved what they want to achieve, like playing in the WNBA and at the international level. She is an unbelievable leader who has such a high basketball IQ. Our players will be able to learn so much from her and we are thrilled she is joining us in Ann Arbor.”
