--ASU's Blue life story, basketball experience making an impact at ASU (by Jesse Morrison/ASUDevils.com/Jan. 10, 2020)
Nikki Blue was named assistant coach on April 30, 2019.
"Nikki was an All-American and four-time, first-team All-Pac-10 selection, who went on to have a very accomplished professional career playing both in the WNBA and overseas. You combine that with her experience and success as a coach and you have someone who I know our players will be excited to learn from because they aspire to play at the highest level like Nikki has," Turner Thorne said. "Nikki is not just a former great player, but she really gets all the facets of coaching. She has an incredible giving spirit and we look forward to everything she will bring to our program as a coach, recruiter and mentor."
Blue joins Turner Thorne's staff from nearby Grand Canyon University where was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for two seasons. In that position she oversaw the program's domestic and international recruiting, scouting and planning. In her first season on staff, Blue's guidance was instrumental in guard Brie Mobley earning All-WAC first-team recognition.
"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Sun Devil women's basketball program," said Blue. "I have always admired the culture of competitive toughness and academic excellence that coach Charli and her staff have established. Their passion, tremendous work ethic in recruiting and continual commitment to the development of student-athletes – both as players and people – is something that I can't wait to be a part of."
Blue arrived at GCU after spending three seasons as the top assistant at CSU Bakersfield, where she was part of a staff that helped the Roadrunners to a 2014 postseason appearance with 23 wins. Before Bakersfield, Blue spent six years as an assistant coach at UNLV, where she helped the Rebels land the Nevada Player of the Year out of high school and develop the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.
As a player, Blue had a decorated career at UCLA where earned Pac-10 first-team honors four times and was named a WBCA All-American in 2006. During her time at UCLA she played an integral role in leading the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament title.
Blue was drafted by the WNBA's Washington Mystics in 2006. She played four seasons with the Mystics and one with the New York Liberty before playing two seasons internationally with FIBA (one in Turkey and one in Greece).
Blue graduated from UCLA in 2006 with a bachelor of arts degree in history. She has one daughter, Cali Marie Coleman.
Nikki Blue was named assistant coach on April 30, 2019.
"Nikki was an All-American and four-time, first-team All-Pac-10 selection, who went on to have a very accomplished professional career playing both in the WNBA and overseas. You combine that with her experience and success as a coach and you have someone who I know our players will be excited to learn from because they aspire to play at the highest level like Nikki has," Turner Thorne said. "Nikki is not just a former great player, but she really gets all the facets of coaching. She has an incredible giving spirit and we look forward to everything she will bring to our program as a coach, recruiter and mentor."
Blue joins Turner Thorne's staff from nearby Grand Canyon University where was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for two seasons. In that position she oversaw the program's domestic and international recruiting, scouting and planning. In her first season on staff, Blue's guidance was instrumental in guard Brie Mobley earning All-WAC first-team recognition.
"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Sun Devil women's basketball program," said Blue. "I have always admired the culture of competitive toughness and academic excellence that coach Charli and her staff have established. Their passion, tremendous work ethic in recruiting and continual commitment to the development of student-athletes – both as players and people – is something that I can't wait to be a part of."
Blue arrived at GCU after spending three seasons as the top assistant at CSU Bakersfield, where she was part of a staff that helped the Roadrunners to a 2014 postseason appearance with 23 wins. Before Bakersfield, Blue spent six years as an assistant coach at UNLV, where she helped the Rebels land the Nevada Player of the Year out of high school and develop the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.
As a player, Blue had a decorated career at UCLA where earned Pac-10 first-team honors four times and was named a WBCA All-American in 2006. During her time at UCLA she played an integral role in leading the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament title.
Blue was drafted by the WNBA's Washington Mystics in 2006. She played four seasons with the Mystics and one with the New York Liberty before playing two seasons internationally with FIBA (one in Turkey and one in Greece).
Blue graduated from UCLA in 2006 with a bachelor of arts degree in history. She has one daughter, Cali Marie Coleman.