December 04, 2024 7:53 pm
• Last Updated: December 04, 2024 7:53 pm

FILE – Belgium head coach Rachid Meziane questions an official in a women’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Day Staff Reports

Mohegan – The Connecticut Sun named Rachid Meziane (pronounced Ra-sheed Mez-ee-un) as the franchise’s seventh head coach, per a news release Wednesday morning.

Meziane, a native of Clermont-Ferrand, France, has been a head coach in the French women’s basketball sphere, as well as a head coach for Belgium Women’s Basketball in FIBA competition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rachid as the new head coach of the Connecticut Sun,” said Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck. “He brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a proven track record of success that will help elevate our players and team as a whole. Rachid’s dedication and commitment to growing women’s basketball, internationally and domestically, brings a unique perspective both on and off the court that aligns with the values and vision of our organization. We look forward to the future under Rachid’s leadership and are excited for the positive impact he will have on our team and community.”

Since the 2019 season, Meziane has served at the head coach of successful French women’s basketball club Villeneuve d’Ascq, where he most recently led the team to a Ligue Feminine de Basketball (LFB) Championship and a EuroLeague runner up finish during the 2023-24 season.

“I am honored to represent a franchise like the Connecticut Sun, a team and organization with a rich history and a passionate fan base,” Meziane said. “I look forward to working with our talented roster and assembling a dedicated coaching staff, as we continue to build upon the Sun’s legacy and strive for a championship.”

Meziane has also served as the Belgium Women’s Basketball National Team Head Coach since November 2022. Meziane led Belgium to its first-ever FIBA European Women’s Championship (EuroBasket) Gold Medal in 2023.

“Having had the privilege of coaching against Rachid in various FIBA competitions, I’ve witnessed firsthand his exceptional basketball IQ and his ability to prepare his teams to compete at the highest level in any situation,” Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti said. “As we looked for a key differentiator to elevate Connecticut’s success and cultivate a championship mindset for the future, Rachid’s extensive experience and passion for the game stood out. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Connecticut Sun family.”

Meziane replaces Stephanie White, who left after the 2024 season to become the new head coach in Indiana.