Las Vegas (March 16, 2018)—Las Vegas Aces President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Bill Laimbeer announced today the hiring of Rondre Jackson as the team’s director of player development, and Rushia Brown as player programs and franchise development manager.
“As an organization, we are committed to the development of our players both on and off the court, which includes setting them up for success after their playing careers are over,” explained Laimbeer.
“Rondre Jackson and Rushia Brown are two of the best in the business in that regard, with a history of success working with NBA and WNBA players on life after basketball.
“Our players are going to benefit tremendously from the expertise that Rondre and Rushia bring to the Aces.”
Rondre Jackson
Jackson’s career in the WNBA dates back to 2000, when he worked for the Los Angeles Sparks as the team’s coordinator for the coaching staff, and later as the assistant general manager. He also helped with local team tryouts, regional and local scouting, player development, community relations appearances and team operations assistance during his time with the Sparks.
In 2007, he transitioned to the NBA, working with the Los Angeles Lakers. Most recently, Jackson served as the team’s director of player development, assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations focusing on players’ personal growth, and providing resources that develop life skills.
Jackson also served on the NBA’s Steering Committee for player development, and won the Dana Davis Award for best player development work in the NBA for the 2015-16 season
A native of Oakland, California, Jackson was an assistant coach for the women’s basketball teams at Cal State Fullerton (1996-97) and Loyola Marymount (1997-2000).
Rushia Brown
Brown was a four-year starter at Furman University where she earned a number of Southern Conference accolades including Freshman of the Year (1990), Player of the Year (1992), and Tournament MVP (1994).
She played professionally for three years overseas before making the Cleveland Rockers’ roster in the WNBA’s inaugural season. Brown would go on to play seven years in the league, and an additional seven overseas, helping lead the Rockers to a pair of Eastern Conference regular season championships (1998, 2001).
Her post-playing career has been dedicated to assisting young women in their athletics and academic pursuits by exposing them to the tools they need to be successful both on and off the court.
Brown is currently the president and CEO of OverTime Basketball Academy, and she founded the Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae Association. The focus of the WPBAA is to provide resources to women as they transition from professional basketball to the careers of their choosing, with an emphasis on job placement/secondary career, higher education, and philanthropic endeavors.