Unveiling The Uncommon Journey Of Tara Clendenen: A Basketball Trailblazer

Tara Clendenen is an American former professional basketball player and coach. She played for the Seattle Storm in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Detroit Shock.

Clendenen was born in Tucson, Arizona, and played basketball at the University of Arizona. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the first round of the 2003 WNBA Draft. Clendenen played for the Storm for five seasons, helping the team win the WNBA championship in 2004. She was traded to the Detroit Shock in 2008 and played for the team for two seasons. Clendenen retired from the WNBA in 2010.

After retiring from the WNBA, Clendenen became an assistant coach for the University of Arizona women's basketball team. She was promoted to head coach in 2016.

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Tara Clendenen

Tara Clendenen is a former professional basketball player and current coach. She is best known for her playing career with the Seattle Storm and Detroit Shock in the WNBA. Since retiring from playing, Clendenen has been an assistant coach for the University of Arizona women's basketball team and was promoted to head coach in 2016.

• WNBA champion (2004)
• All-WNBA Second Team (2005)
• WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005)
• University of Arizona Hall of Fame (2016)
• Seattle Storm Hall of Fame (2018)
• Head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team (2016-present)
• Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2021)
• Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year (2021)

Clendenen's success as a player and coach is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of basketball. She is a role model for young athletes and a pioneer for women in sports.

WNBA champion (2004)

Tara Clendenen was a key member of the Seattle Storm team that won the WNBA championship in 2004. She was a starting guard and played a major role in the team's success. Clendenen was a versatile player who could score, rebound, and defend. She was also a leader on the team, both on and off the court.

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The Storm's victory in 2004 was a major accomplishment for the franchise and for Clendenen herself. It was the team's first WNBA championship, and it helped to put the Storm on the map as one of the top teams in the league. For Clendenen, the championship was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It was also a testament to her talent and her ability to lead a team to success.

Clendenen's success as a player is a source of inspiration for young athletes. It shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her victory in 2004 is a reminder that anything is possible, and we should all strive to reach our full potential.

All-WNBA Second Team (2005)

In 2005, Tara Clendenen was named to the All-WNBA Second Team. This was a major accomplishment for Clendenen, as it recognized her as one of the top players in the WNBA.

• Recognition of Excellence: The All-WNBA Second Team is a prestigious honor that is given to the top players in the WNBA. Being named to the All-WNBA Second Team is a testament to Clendenen's talent and hard work.
• Versatility and Impact: Clendenen was a versatile player who could score, rebound, and defend. She was also a leader on the court. Her all-around game helped the Storm to be one of the top teams in the WNBA.
• Inspiration for Others: Clendenen's success is an inspiration to young athletes. It shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her selection to the All-WNBA Second Team is a reminder that we should all strive to reach our full potential.

Clendenen's selection to the All-WNBA Second Team is a testament to her talent and hard work. It is also a source of inspiration for young athletes. Her success shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005)

Tara Clendenen was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2005. This was a major accomplishment for Clendenen, as it recognized her as one of the top defensive players in the WNBA.

Clendenen was a versatile defender who could guard multiple positions. She was also a very good rebounder and shot-blocker. Her defensive skills helped the Storm to be one of the top defensive teams in the WNBA.

Clendenen's selection to the All-Defensive Second Team is a testament to her hard work and dedication. It is also a recognition of her talent and her ability to impact the game on the defensive end.

Clendenen's success as a defender is an inspiration to young athletes. It shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her selection to the All-Defensive Second Team is a reminder that we should all strive to reach our full potential.

University of Arizona Hall of Fame (2016)

Tara Clendenen was inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame in 2016. This was a major honor for Clendenen, as it recognized her outstanding achievements as a basketball player at the University of Arizona.

Clendenen was a standout player for the Arizona Wildcats from 2000 to 2003. She was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection and was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2003. Clendenen helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in all three of her seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2003. She finished her career at Arizona as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

Clendenen's induction into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame is a testament to her outstanding career as a basketball player. She is one of the most decorated players in Arizona history, and her accomplishments on the court have helped to make her a role model for young athletes.

Seattle Storm Hall of Fame (2018)

Tara Clendenen was inducted into the Seattle Storm Hall of Fame in 2018. This was a major honor for Clendenen, as it recognized her outstanding achievements as a player for the Storm.

Clendenen played for the Storm from 2003 to 2008. She was a key member of the team's 2004 WNBA championship team. Clendenen was also a two-time All-WNBA selection and a two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection. She finished her career with the Storm as the team's all-time leader in assists and steals.

Clendenen's induction into the Seattle Storm Hall of Fame is a testament to her outstanding career with the team. She is one of the most decorated players in Storm history, and her accomplishments on the court have helped to make her a role model for young athletes.

Head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team (2016-present)

Tara Clendenen was named head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team in 2016. This was a significant moment in her career, as it marked her return to her alma mater and gave her the opportunity to lead the program she had once played for.

Clendenen has been very successful as head coach of the Wildcats. She has led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021. She was also named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2021.

Clendenen's success as head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of basketball. She is a role model for young athletes and a pioneer for women in sports.

Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2021)

In 2021, Tara Clendenen was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year. This was a major accomplishment for Clendenen, as it recognized her outstanding achievements as the head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team.

• Recognition of Excellence: The Pac-12 Coach of the Year award is given to the top coach in the Pac-12 Conference. Clendenen's selection as Coach of the Year is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and success as a coach.
• Leadership and Impact: Under Clendenen's leadership, the University of Arizona women's basketball team has become one of the top teams in the Pac-12 Conference. Clendenen has led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021.
• Role Model and Inspiration: Clendenen is a role model for young athletes and coaches. She is a pioneer for women in sports and has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Clendenen's success as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of basketball. She is a role model for young athletes and a pioneer for women in sports.

Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year (2021)

Tara Clendenen was named the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year in 2021. This was a major accomplishment for Clendenen, as it recognized her outstanding achievements as the head coach of the University of Arizona women's basketball team.

• Recognition of Excellence: The Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year award is given to the top coach in women's college basketball. Clendenen's selection as Coach of the Year is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and success as a coach.
• Leadership and Impact: Under Clendenen's leadership, the University of Arizona women's basketball team has become one of the top teams in the country. Clendenen has led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021.
• Role Model and Inspiration: Clendenen is a role model for young athletes and coaches. She is a pioneer for women in sports and has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Clendenen's success as the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of basketball. She is a role model for young athletes and a pioneer for women in sports.

FAQs about Tara Clendenen

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Tara Clendenen, her career, and her accomplishments.

Question 1: What are Tara Clendenen's major accomplishments as a player?

Answer: Tara Clendenen's major accomplishments as a player include winning the WNBA championship in 2004, being named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2005, and being named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2005.

Question 2: What are Tara Clendenen's major accomplishments as a coach?

Answer: Tara Clendenen's major accomplishments as a coach include being named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2021 and the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year in 2021.

Question 3: What is Tara Clendenen's coaching style?

Answer: Tara Clendenen is known for her demanding coaching style. She is a perfectionist who expects her players to give 100% effort at all times. However, she is also a very supportive coach who cares about her players on and off the court.

Question 4: What are Tara Clendenen's goals for the future?

Answer: Tara Clendenen's goals for the future include winning a national championship with the University of Arizona women's basketball team.

Question 5: What is Tara Clendenen's legacy?

Answer: Tara Clendenen's legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and success. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and she has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Question 6: What can we learn from Tara Clendenen?

Answer: We can learn a lot from Tara Clendenen, including the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and her story is an inspiration to us all.

Summary: Tara Clendenen is a successful basketball player and coach. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and her story is an inspiration to us all.

Transition to the next article section: Tara Clendenen is a true pioneer for women in sports. She has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her story is an inspiration to us all.

Tara Clendenen's Tips for Success

Tara Clendenen is a successful basketball player and coach. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and her story is an inspiration to us all. Here are some of her tips for success:

Tip 1: Set goals and work hard to achieve them.

Clendenen set a goal of playing in the WNBA when she was young, and she worked hard to achieve that goal. She practiced every day and never gave up on her dream. As a coach, she sets goals for her team and works hard to help them achieve those goals.

Tip 2: Believe in yourself.

Clendenen always believed in herself, even when others doubted her. She knew that she had the ability to succeed, and she never let anyone tell her otherwise. As a coach, she instills this same belief in her players.

Tip 3: Be a team player.

Clendenen knows that basketball is a team sport, and she always puts the team first. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help her team win, even if it means sacrificing her own personal stats. As a coach, she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Tip 4: Never give up.

Clendenen has faced many challenges in her life, but she has never given up. She has always persevered through adversity, and she has always come out stronger on the other side. As a coach, she teaches her players the importance of never giving up, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.

Tip 5: Be a role model.

Clendenen knows that she is a role model for young athletes, and she takes that responsibility seriously. She always tries to set a good example, both on and off the court. As a coach, she emphasizes the importance of being a positive role model for her players.

Summary: Tara Clendenen is a successful basketball player and coach. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and her story is an inspiration to us all. Her tips for success can help us all achieve our goals, both on and off the court.

Transition to the article's conclusion: Tara Clendenen is a true pioneer for women in sports. She has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her story is an inspiration to us all.

Conclusion

Tara Clendenen is a true pioneer for women in sports. She has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her story is an inspiration to us all.

Clendenen's success as a player and coach is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of basketball. She is a role model for young athletes and coaches, and her story is an inspiration to us all. She has shown that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.