From Court Legends to Legacy Builders: Diana Taurasi and LeBron James Launch Full Scholarships for 100 Young Women Aspiring to Be Basketball Coaches
It started with a quiet conversation between two of basketball’s most iconic figures—Diana Taurasi and LeBron James. No cameras. No press releases. Just mutual respect, a shared love for the game, and one deceptively simple question that would go on to change lives:
“If you retired tomorrow, what would you want to do most?”
LeBron posed the question during a private sit-down, one that took place away from the noise of post-game interviews and endorsement deals. Taurasi, known for her razor-sharp wit and fearless presence on the court, didn’t hesitate.
“I’d want to clone myself,” she said with a half-smile. “A hundred younger versions of me—fierce, smart, and ready to lead from the sidelines.”
That answer sparked an idea that would quickly evolve into one of the most meaningful collaborations in recent basketball memory. Just one month after that private exchange, the LeBron James Family Foundation and the newly formed Taurasi Legacy Fund unveiled a groundbreaking joint initiative: a full-ride scholarship program for 100 young women of color who aspire to become professional basketball coaches and sports managers.
A Vision Rooted in Representation
Both LeBron and Diana have long spoken about the importance of representation—not just on the court, but in the coaching ranks, front offices, and leadership positions that shape the direction of the sport. While women’s basketball has grown immensely, the number of women, particularly women of color, holding head coaching or executive roles remains painfully low.
Taurasi has often commented on this disparity.
“We tell girls they can be anything, but when they look up and don’t see anyone who looks like them leading, it sends the wrong message. That has to change.”
LeBron, similarly, has emphasized mentorship and pipeline-building through his work in Akron, Ohio. The I PROMISE School is one example, providing long-term educational support to underserved youth. But this new venture marks the first time he’s joined forces with a fellow basketball great to tackle the issue of gender equity in sports leadership.
The Scholarship Details
The scholarship program, titled “Coaches of Tomorrow”, will be administered through a joint committee consisting of leaders from both foundations, former athletes, and professional coaches. Each of the 100 selected applicants will receive:
Full tuition coverage at an accredited university or coaching program
A year-long mentorship with a current or retired basketball coach (WNBA, NBA, or NCAA level)
Travel stipends for attending coaching clinics and leadership summits
Hands-on internships with professional or collegiate teams
A tech and resource stipend for required tools (laptops, books, etc.)
Applicants must be high school seniors, college students, or recent graduates who identify as women of color and demonstrate a passion for coaching, mentorship, or sports leadership.
“This isn’t just about scholarships,” LeBron said in a joint statement with Taurasi. “It’s about opening doors that have been shut for too long.”
The Private Meeting That Sparked It All
According to sources close to both athletes, the idea came during an offseason charity event in Los Angeles. The two were seated at a dinner table surrounded by fellow athletes, coaches, and youth advocates. As the conversation shifted toward legacy, LeBron asked the fateful question, curious what someone like Taurasi—already a WNBA icon—would want her next chapter to look like.
Taurasi, who has often spoken about her desire to coach after retirement, got candid.
“I’ve been coached by greats, but I didn’t see many who looked like me. I want to change that. Not just coach myself, but help others become coaches. If I can walk away from the game knowing there are 100 young women carrying that torch, that’s legacy.”
LeBron nodded. “Let’s do it.”
And just like that, the seeds were planted. Within a few weeks, both teams were coordinating logistics. Corporate sponsors came calling, but LeBron and Taurasi declined most offers—they wanted the program to remain fully athlete-funded to ensure it stayed mission-focused and free of commercial influence.
More Than a Scholarship—A Movement
The announcement has already sparked conversation throughout the sports world. Social media lit up as WNBA and NBA players, both past and present, voiced support for the initiative. Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie called it “long overdue.” Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina’s championship women’s basketball team, offered to mentor two of the recipients herself.
“It’s beautiful,” said Staley. “Diana and LeBron aren’t just handing out checks—they’re building a coaching tree that could change the face of the sport.”
And it’s not just women’s basketball that stands to benefit. The lack of female coaches in men’s leagues—particularly women of color—has long been a subject of scrutiny. Taurasi and LeBron made it clear: Coaches of Tomorrow is open to those who dream big, whether that means the WNBA, NBA, or international leagues.
“This is a game changer,” tweeted Becky Hammon, the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA. “We need more than a seat at the table. We need to be building the damn table. This is how it starts.”
Building Beyond the First 100
While the first wave of scholarships will be limited to 100 young women, the program is designed for long-term growth. Both foundations have committed to sustaining and expanding the initiative over the next decade.
Plans are already underway to:
Launch a virtual coaching academy for all applicants, not just recipients
Establish a yearly Coaches Summit that will rotate between cities and include panel talks, hands-on clinics, and networking events
Provide continued career placement support for graduates of the program
Taurasi and LeBron also made a public pledge: each year, they will personally mentor one scholar each, maintaining a one-on-one connection and ensuring that the original vision doesn’t get lost in bureaucracy or branding.
Legacy in Action
At a press event announcing the program, the two legends stood side-by-side, visibly proud but humble. Taurasi cracked a joke about how she’d make a “tough but lovable” coach. LeBron added, “I’d hate to play against 100 Taurasis… but I’d love to see them coaching.”
Their message was clear: they’re not just passing the torch. They’re multiplying it.
As the basketball world watches their careers wind down—Taurasi nearing retirement, LeBron now in his third decade of play—their impact off the court is beginning to rival what they’ve accomplished on it.
Because one day, when the final buzzer sounds for both legends, it won’t just be the trophies, titles, or Olympic medals people remember. It will be the lives they changed, the doors they opened, and the generations they empowered to lead.
And somewhere on a court or in a locker room, a young coach will gather her team, straighten her clipboard, and say with quiet confidence: “I’m here because someone believed in me. Someone who looked like me. Someone like Diana. Someone like LeBron.”
