Lieberman-Cline, Nancy (1958–)

American basketball player and coach. Name variations: Nancy Lieberman; Lady Magic. Born July 1, 1958, in Brooklyn, NY; attended Old Dominion University, 1976–80; m. Tim Cline (basketball player), May 18, 1988.

Was a member of Jr. National team (1977) and Jones Cup team (1979); won a team gold medal at Pan Am Games teams (1975) and World championships (1975, 1979); became youngest basketball player in Olympic history to win a medal (silver), at Montreal (1976); named to Olympic squad (1980); named All-America (1978–80); won Broderick Cup (1979, 1980); finished collegiate career with 2,430 points, 1,167 rebounds, 983 assists, and more than 700 steals in 134 games; led Old Dominion to 2 AIAW championships (1979, 1980); began professional career with WBL's Dallas Diamonds (1980) and led team in scoring during successful championship series (1981); was leading scorer for Diamonds (1984); played for Dallas Diamonds of WABA during its brief season (1984); became 1st woman to play in a men's professional league (1986) by joining USBL's Springfield Fame; played in USBL for 2 years (1986, 1987), 2nd season as a member of Long Island Knights; was a member of Washington Generals (1987–88); worked as a basketball analyst for NBC (1988, 1992); served as broadcaster for ESPN, ABC, Fox and NBC; signed with WNBA (1997) and selected by Phoenix Mercury in 2nd round draft; became coach of Detroit Shock (1998). Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1996).

See also autobiography (with Debby Jennings) Lady Magic (Sagamore, 1991), Basketball My Way (Scribner, 1982), and Betty Milsaps Jones, Nancy Lieberman: Basketball's Magic Lady (Harvey House, 1980).