SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's basketball associate head coach Michael Floyd recently spent a week at the Nigerian Women's National Team training camp in Las Vegas serving as an assistant coach.
Floyd, entering his sixth season with the Broncos, participated in planning practices and running drills with the team and did game prep, including going over scouts with the players for two exhibitions against Australia and the U.S.
"It was a great experience," Floyd said. "I shared with them some of the things we do at Santa Clara and gave them a little bit of a different perspective. I also did a lot of learning."
Due to the nature of recruiting in the offseason, Floyd wasn't sure if he would be able to attend the training camp, but it aligned with the required dead week on the recruiting calendar.
The Nigerians are led by Otis Hughley Jr. who asked Floyd to be a part of his staff for the week. Hughley was a high school coach in Alabama when Floyd got his first head coaching job at Alabama Southern Community College and the two have stayed in touch.
The national team is made up of mostly overseas professionals. Also included was Erica Ogumike, sister of Nneke, a former WNBA MVP, and Chiney, the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. Floyd had a chance to work with all three sisters as well as Elizabeth Williams who plays for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA.
After the game against the Americans, Floyd and the staff had a chance to visit with Sue Bird and Brittney Griner, among others on the U.S. roster and staff.
The camp featured 19 players with just 12 spots for the Olympic roster. Floyd took part in selection night on the final day of camp, informing those who made the team as well as those who didn't, a process that took over four hours.
"That process was extremely emotional," Floyd said. "Playing the Olympics is a dream of lot of these players have had since they were little girls."
The team opened the Olympics on Monday against the U.S. and Floyd stayed up to watch the game.
For now though, his focus is back on the Mission campus and his Broncos.
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