For Klay Thompson, Chris DeMarco becoming the head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty feels less like a sudden rise and more like a long-anticipated outcome shaped by years of unseen work.
The two spent countless hours together during DeMarco’s 14-season run with the Golden State Warriors, where DeMarco developed a reputation as one of the organization’s most trusted voices in player development and on-court systems.
As DeMarco now steps into one of the most prominent coaching roles in women’s basketball, Thompson views the moment through the lens of shared history rather than title alone.
“Chris DeMarco and I have been through so much together — countless hours in the gym. I can’t even quantify it,” Thompson told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He’s a real grinder, and I know he’s going to do great things with Sabrina and Stewy in New York. It’s exciting. He deserves this.”
A Championship Pedigree Meets a Championship Window
The Liberty formally introduced DeMarco as the franchise’s new head coach this week, entrusting him with a roster led by Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart as New York enters a clear win-now phase. DeMarco arrives after 11 seasons as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr in Golden State, where he helped guide the Warriors to four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and contributed to one of the most successful dynasties in modern basketball history.
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said the organization’s priority was finding a leader capable of sustaining elite standards while continuing to evolve.
“Throughout the process, our goal was clear: identify a leader who could elevate our culture, implement elite-level systems, and bring a modern vision for how to guide this franchise forward on the court,” Kolb said in a statement.
From Thompson’s perspective, DeMarco’s readiness stems from preparation rather than opportunity.
“I’m genuinely so happy for him,” Thompson told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “That’s an incredible gig — to step into a situation with that much talent. He’s going to make the city proud.”
A Brotherhood Built Through the Grind
Thompson’s confidence carries weight because it comes from proximity. Their relationship was forged not by headlines but by repetition, adversity, and trust built over time inside the Warriors’ gym.
“Chris is a brother for life to me,” Thompson told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’ve been through everything together. He’s seen my highest highs and my lowest lows.”
That journey included climbing the mountain again after initial success.
“We climbed that mountain again and won another ring together — that was special,” Thompson said to DallasHoopsJournal.com.
Under DeMarco’s tenure, Golden State consistently operated at an elite level. Over the past 10 seasons, the Warriors held opponents to the league’s second-lowest shot quality (49.9% qSQ), according to Second Spectrum, while also leading the NBA in net rating three times and producing a record-setting 73-win season in 2015–16.
Impact Beyond the NBA and WNBA
While DeMarco’s new role places him squarely in the WNBA spotlight, Thompson emphasized that his influence extends well beyond professional club basketball.
Since 2019, DeMarco has served as head coach of the Bahamas Men’s National Basketball Team, guiding the program to its most significant win by defeating host Argentina in the 2024 Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament final.
“What he’s done for Bahamian basketball has been huge,” Thompson told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’re right on the cusp of qualifying for the World Games or the Olympics, and he’s elevated the entire program.”
Thompson also acknowledged those working alongside DeMarco in that effort.
“And I can’t forget Jonquel [Jones], my Bahamian assistant,” Thompson added.
The Right Fit at the Right Time
Liberty governor Clara Wu Tsai described DeMarco’s hiring as a deliberate and collaborative decision as New York approaches its 30th anniversary season in 2026. DeMarco, 40, becomes the 10th head coach in franchise history, joining an organization with championship expectations and a global platform.
For Thompson, the fit comes down to character as much as credentials.
“He’s such a down-to-earth, humble guy who genuinely loves and respects the game,” Thompson told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He’s going to do great things in the W.”
As DeMarco begins his tenure in Brooklyn, expectations will be immediate and the margin for error narrow. But if Thompson’s perspective is any indication, the Liberty are gaining more than a head coach.
They are gaining a grinder whose preparation has been years in the making.