Sonia Raman is the first Indian American WNBA head coach

The Seattle Storm has appointed Sonia Raman as the team's next head coach, making her the first Indian American to hold a head coaching position in the WNBA. This marks Raman's first role as a head coach, highlighting a significant milestone in her career and in the league's diversity.

Raman's coaching background includes serving as an assistant coach for the WNBA's New York Liberty in 2025 and spending four years as an assistant coach with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, she holds a law degree, adding to her diverse qualifications and experience in the sports industry.

At her first press conference, Talia Rhea, the general manager of the Storm, expressed strong support for Raman, noting that their initial conversations revealed alignment and potential for a successful partnership. Rhea described Raman as a trailblazer and was moved by her career path, emphasizing excitement about Raman's vision for the team's future.

Raman has been recognized for her use of analytics in coaching but stressed the importance of building individual relationships with players. She explained that her approach involves tailoring communication and motivation strategies for each player to foster collaboration and help them achieve their full potential.

Raman is now one of only two Asian American head coaches in the WNBA, joining Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries, who made history as the first Asian American head coach in the league last year. This underscores the growing representation in women's professional basketball.

In her remarks, Raman expressed feeling honored and privileged to take on this role while acknowledging the responsibility it entails. She stated her goal to not be the last in this position, aiming to create opportunities and inspire the next generation by demonstrating what is possible in coaching.