November 17, 2024
WNBA legend Candice Dupree embraces her purpose in leading Tennessee State
By Rob Knox
Dupree: 'I just want to make this a first-class experience'
Before leading Tennessee State to a win against Cumberlands in her head-coaching debut, Candice Dupree found herself with a rare moment of calm. Alone with her thoughts in the locker room after jotting down key points on the whiteboard that she shared with her team pregame, she was left only to watch the clock wind down until tip-off.
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Since being hired as TSU’s 13th head coach in May, Dupree has built relationships with her team, connected with alums and crafted game strategies with a reassuring style.
Clad in a black Tennessee State sweatshirt, black sweatpants and white sneakers for the game against Cumberlands, Dupree sat calmly on the bench with her hands clasped, embodying patience. From time to time, she stood and paced in front of the scorers’ table, a rolled-up paper in her left hand. She looked like a commuter waiting for a bus, even as her Tigers faced a tough first quarter that ended with them trailing by two points.
Yet she never showed a hint of panic, much like the serenity she displayed during her WNBA career.
“It didn’t feel like the first game,” Dupree told The Next by phone two days later. “I ensured all my players had their questions answered and helped them not be too nervous. I ensured they took deep breaths because many were playing their first collegiate game. Once the game started, I knew the first half wouldn’t be pretty because of nerves. We settled down after halftime and did some good things.”
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The 39-year-old Dupree is recycling her wealth of experience from an illustrious playing career and the insights she gained from coaching with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs to guide her young, talented Tennessee State team. She is passionate about empowering and uplifting her players on and off the court.
The No. 6 overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2006 WNBA Draft, Dupree was a member of the championship-winning 2014 Phoenix Mercury team, a seven-time All-Star, and a member of the All-Rookie Team. Dupree ranks third in WNBA history in made field goals (2,842), sixth in career points (6,895), sixth in games played (494) and seventh in total rebounds (3,149).
“I wanted to give back to the women’s game,” Dupree said. “My job is to make these women better adults once they leave here, which drives me. Playing for Coach Dawn Staley [at Temple], knowing her relationships with us and then watching her teams at South Carolina, I learned that relationships are everything.”
Dupree credits Staley with helping her prepare to be a professional. Summers were fun for Dupree when she was at Temple because she could brag about her college coach while watching her play.
“It was fun telling people that I am going to watch my college coach play in the WNBA,” Dupree said. “We took summer road trips to D.C., New York and Charlotte. Even those experiences were preparing me for the next level.
“I remember there were times I couldn’t leave practice until I scored against our assistant coaches. There were so many little things that helped me. We’ve had numerous conversations, and if I call [Staley], she’ll respond with answers to any questions. It’s been good.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Candice Dupree to the coaching ranks in women’s college basketball,” Staley said in Tennessee State’s press release announcing Dupree’s hire in May. “I commend TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover and Dr. Allen for choosing someone who I know has excelled at every level – as a standout collegiate and professional basketball player, as well as an NBA coach. Dupree’s hiring will further elevate the women’s college basketball game.”
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In addition to learning from Staley, Dupree also gained wisdom from Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. During her two years with the Spurs, she also worked as an assistant guest coach for the franchise’s Summer League team in July 2022 before being elevated to a player development coach. She worked with 2023 No. 1 overall pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell.
“The NBA side, that was cool for me,” Dupree said. “I also realized that many of the kids in the NBA are also one-and-done [in college]. A huge takeaway from my time with the Spurs is that even though the players are making millions and millions of dollars, they are considered assets and not people. They are the same age as the players I work with now.
“As for me, professionally and personally, I noticed there wasn’t a lot of room for growth … with regard to women coaches in the NBA. I wanted to climb the ladder, and this was a great opportunity for me.”
Dupree is thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Tigers, who were picked 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll. Inheriting a team with four returning players, she has embraced the challenge of building her program and learning the finer points of compliance and recruiting. Dupree has also learned how to be creative since Tennessee State doesn’t have the unlimited resources of the NBA.
The day after Dupree’s TSU debut, one thing she made sure to do when reviewing the film was to highlight the positives as she shared areas for development. She was happier about her players getting the victory than about the significance of her first collegiate coaching victory.
Even though Tennessee State has since dropped two straight games to fall to 2-2, Dupree’s humility is a superpower that will potentially lead the Tigers to their desired destination sooner rather than later.
“Often, I don’t realize how much impact I’ve had on others,” Dupree said. “I am grateful that people reach out to me and appreciate what I’ve accomplished, but I feel there are more important things than being a former hoops player and a coach. Others may disagree. I am happy to help others; this was a great opportunity.”
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Through four games, Tennessee State has been balanced offensively. Four players are averaging double figures, led by 5’10 freshman guard Somah Kamara’s 14.0 points per game. Behind her, Dupree has an experienced triumvirate of 6’ senior forward Lyric Cole, 5’8 graduate guard Sanaa’ St. Andre and 5’9 senior guard Saniah Parker.
While Dupree thrives on the exhilarating rush of game days and designing strategies, she equally cherishes the quiet, off-court moments spent meeting with her players in the office. These bonding moments form the foundation of what she plans to construct.
“I understand that this is a different generation of player,” Dupree said. “I don’t want to just interact with you. My style is engaging and caring about people as humans. I took the time to get to know and learn about them here. We can talk about hoops all day, but I am more interested in your interests and chopping it up. These players are sponges, and many have not played in this type of environment before, so watching how much they grow and how much they enjoy people believing in them is great to see. I just want to make this a first-class experience.”
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She enjoyed that kind of experience during her WNBA career, especially as a member of the 2014 champion Phoenix Mercury, one of the greatest teams in league history. After winning 29 of 34 regular-season games, the Mercury swept the Sky in the Finals. She was Phoenix’s third-leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game.
Ten years later, Dupree reflected fondly but was more excited about the growth of the sport since then.
“We were loaded, and it was a fun group to play with,” Dupree said. “I remember everybody having to sacrifice a little of their game to make it all work, and it wasn’t easy, but we played for each other. …
“Players have signature shoes now, and it’s insane how corporations want to partake in women’s sports. It’s great.”
Now, Dupree is doing her part.
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Even though Dupree has played on at least four continents, she is at home in Tennessee’s capital city. She also experienced her first HBCU homecoming, which was memorable. Dupree understands the responsibility of coaching at a school founded in 1912 and where renowned talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, Olympian Wilma Rudolph, and NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent once studied.
“There’s lots of history, culture and legacy here,” Dupree said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when coming to an institution like this, but it’s been great. I’ve met many people who have worked here for many years, which rarely happens. They have a lot of pride working here, which is great.
“I never thought about going to an HBCU … when I was going through the recruiting process. Now, you have women’s basketball players who want to be part of something special at an HBCU.”
Written by Rob Knox
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional and a member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to having work published in SLAM magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by CSC with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Named a HBCU Legend by SI.com, Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators, formerly CoSIDA.
