After attending the Jr. NBA’s Global Championships – Europe and Middle East Selection Camp in Rome earlier this year, Rachel Simpson has been selected by the NBA to be the Assistant Coach of the Europe and Middle East Elite Girls team – becoming the first Scot to be chosen to progress from the selection camp.
Rachel, who is a coach at basketballpaisley and basketballscotland’s National Academy, attended the selection camp with great enthusiasm. She worked alongside ex–NBA and WNBA players, Selection Camp Director Ryan Saunders (who is the former Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach) and other Jr. NBA staff to develop her skills and knowledge of the game both on and off the court.
Having impressed at the camp, Rachel has now been invited to travel with the team to Abu Dhabi to attend a training camp during the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
Speaking on her experience so far, Rachel commented: “The camp in Rome was a great experience to work with and learn from some of the best coaches and players across Europe and the Middle East. I am really excited to continue to build on what we did at the next camp and experience it all in another new environment.”
basketballscotland’s Participation Lead, Amy Kirkhouse, said: “This is the first time we’ve had a Scot chosen from the selection camp to progress in the global Jr. NBA programme. This is a fantastic achievement and opportunity for Rachel who is one of only four coaches selected out of the whole Europe & Middle East region to attend the Abu Dhabi Games. The opportunity for learning, relationship building and new experiences will be incredible for Rachel. A huge congratulations to Rachel from us all at basketballscotland!”
