NBA

Raptors D League team welcomes female coach to staff

Raptors 905 have the only female coach in the NBA Development League with the hiring of Nicki Gross on Friday.

Nicki Gross hired as player development coach, only female coach in league

Nicki Gross, hired by the Raptors 905 on Friday, is the only female coach in the NBA Development League. (Jason Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images)

Raptors 905 have the only female coach in the NBA Development League with the hiring of Nicki Gross on Friday.

Gross, 27, spent last season as an assistant with the Iowa Energy and joins the Toronto Raptors' D-League affiliate as its player development coach.

Gross played soccer at Seton Hall University in New Jersey and then ran track at Monmouth University as a graduate student. She also served as a manager for the school's men's basketball team.

Head coach Jerry Stackhouse filled out his staff with the addition of assistant Donnie Tyndall and video co-ordinator/player development coach John Corbacio.

Assistants David Gale and Nathanial Mitchell return for their second seasons with the 905.

Raptors 905 open the season Nov. 18 when they host the Greensboro Swarm at the Hershey Centre.

Gross is a graduate of Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where she played on the soccer team and was a two-year captain. She ran track at Monmouth University as a graduate student and also served as a graduate manager for the Monmouth men's basketball team.