Opals royalty joins Mercury as Tully Bevilaqua becomes first Indigenous Australian women to coach in WNBA

Callan Morse Published March 7, 2023 at 8.00am (AWST)

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Bevilaqua coached New Zealand side Mainland Pouakai in the country's new-look WNBL in 2022. Image: Roshy SportFolio.

Proud Noongar and Njaki Njaki woman Tully Bevilaqua has become the first Indigenous Australian woman to land a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) coaching contract.

It comes after the Phoenix Mercury announced Bevilaqua will join the Mercury as an assistant coach alongside returning assistant coaches Nikki Blue and Cinnamon Lister for the upcoming 2023 WNBA season.

Originally from Merredin in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia, Bevilaqua is a 14-year WNBA veteran having played at five franchises between 1998 and 2012.

She made two finals appearances in 2004 and 2009, winning a championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004 alongside fellow Australian Lauren Jackson.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
The Phoenix Mercury add WNBA Champion and 14-Year WNBA Veteran Tully Bevilaqua to the 2023 coaching staff!

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) March 3, 2023

Bevilaqua was a teammate of current Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard whilst on the Portland Fire roster between 2000 and 2002.

Nygaard said Bevilaqua's long-time experience at the highest level of professional basketball will be of great benefit to the Mercury organisation.

"We are excited to add Tully Bevilaqua to our coaching staff," Nygaard said.

"Her vast experience, championship pedigree, tremendous work ethic and relentless positivity will be excellent assets to our entire organisation."

Bevilaqua's appointment as a Mercury assistant coach follows three years as a player development coach for the Indiana Fever between 2017 and 2019, and a stint as head coach of Mainland Pouakai in New Zealand's Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league.

Bevilaqua was a member of the silver medal-winning Australian Opals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Image: Jesse D. Garrabrant.

During her playing days the 5'7" guard also had a marked impact on professional women's basketball within Australia.

Bevilaqua was a prominent figure in the green and gold as part of the Australian Opals team that won the 2006 World Championships and silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She also experienced multiple successes in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), winning championships with the Perth Breakers in 2002 and twice with the Canberra Capital in 2006 and 2007.

She will make her WNBA coaching debut when Phoenix Mercury host the Chicago Sky on 21 May.