The New York Liberty, reigning WNBA champions, announced the team’s first offseason move on Jan. 13. Lawyer, analyst, former government employee, and winningest coach of MIT’s women’s program Sonia Raman is ready to make her mark on the league. An offensive specialist, Raman holds the key to New York’s second consecutive title. Fresh off of four NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, WNBA rookie Raman brings a new advantage to Sandy Brondello’s bench staff.
Raman’s career began with balancing assistant coaching duties at Wellesley College and her law school coursework. Raman then led MIT full-time for 12 seasons before landing in the Grizzlies’ den in 2020.
Under Raman, MIT reached the program’s first NCAA Division-III tournament in 2018. The following season, the Engineers returned to the dance. She emerged in basketball as a Wellesley part-timer, but Raman’s data-driven coaching style makes her known across leagues. Now Raman has reached the WNBA. To her, it’s the greatest basketball league on Earth.
Great time of year for fans of the best basketball in the world! 🧡 https://t.co/wFRYjjakrw
— Sonia Raman (@SoniaRaman) May 6, 2022
Sonia Raman is a celebrated Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach
Raman joins New York’s hunt for back-to-back titles and a third Finals appearance in as many seasons. Alongside player development coach Brian Lankton’s G League background, Raman brings additional NBA experience to the Liberty’s playbook. Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins appreciated Raman’s efforts to build relationships with each player, as he told the Memphis Commercial Appeal in 2024.
The Grizzlies ranked 20th in offensive rating before Raman joined their bench in the 2020-2021 season. A season later, Memphis was 5th in the league.
In veteran Sonia Raman, New York receives an analytic approach tailored to team strengths. Raman especially prioritizes individual development in making offensive improvements. Grizzlies players especially valued 1-on-1 time with Raman, focusing on each key to success, no matter how small. Memphis forward Santi Aldama told the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
“For her, it’s seeing the little stuff…I remember last year she was big on the better passes for better percentage shots. It was just a matter of finding how we could make better percentage passes that lead to better percentage shots.”
With a roster of offensive power, New York will benefit from the organized, methodical offense that Raman offers. On the heels of its first championship, the franchise hasn’t added one player this offseason. With the “Big Three” of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones leading the charge, the reigning champs are the team to beat in 2025.
The New York Liberty are the league’s strongest squad of 2025
ESPN has already ranked the New York Liberty as this season’s top WNBA team. With the addition of Raman, this explosive offense will learn to avoid poor shot selection, which nearly took the Finals from them last season.
Brondello’s complete bench staff will return for the 2025 season, except Roneeka Hodges, whose vacancy made room for Raman’s hiring. In a press release announcing Raman’s arrival, Brondello said:
“Specializing in the offensive side of the ball, she brings a wealth of experience to our staff and aligns with our core principles of play as we continue to evolve.”
With a student of the game like Raman running the offense, the looming challenge feels a bit more attainable for the Liberty. New York City has never seen back-to-back professional basketball titles. Why not now?
