Chicago Names Cowens Coach, GM

NBA Hall of Famer Dave Cowens was hired Thursday to coach and be the general manager of Chicago’s expansion WNBA team.

Cowens, 57, who has also coached in the NBA, said the challenge of launching Chicago’s team in May 2006 drew him to the job.

“This seemed like an adventure, this seemed like something a little bit different, so I put it all together and decided this was the best thing for me to do,” Cowens said.

Cowens played 10 of his 11 seasons with Boston, winning the league most-valuable-player award in 1973.

He later coached the Charlotte Hornets (1996-99) and Golden State Warriors (2000-02).

The team also hired Doug Bruno, DePaul’s women’s coach, as a consultant, team President Margaret Stender said. She said the team’s nickname would be announced in July.

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Kelly Miller had 19 points to lead the visiting Indiana Fever to a 67-59 victory over the New York Liberty, improving to 3-0. Ann Wauters and Crystal Robinson scored 15 points apiece for the Liberty (0-2). ... Anna DeForge had 20 points and Diana Taurasi had 19 at Charlotte, N.C., to help the Phoenix Mercury (1-2) avoid its first 0-3 start with a 68-58 victory over the Charlotte Sting. Tangela Smith scored 21 points for the winless Sting (0-3).