Former Framingham HS Player Hired As Memphis Grizzlies Coach

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A former Framingham High School basketball player was recently hired as an assistant coach for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Sonia Raman has had a long career coaching college basketball, and is among just a handful of women coaching a professional men's basketball team.

Up until last week, Raman was the head coach of the MIT women's basketball team, which she led to two New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championships.

Raman, 46, graduated from high school in 1992, just after Framingham North and Framingham South merged. Raman went on to play for Tufts University before becoming an assistant coach at Wellesley College. She also has a law degree from Boston College.

"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff. I can’t wait to get to Memphis and get started with Taylor, his staff and the team’s emerging young core," Raman said in a Sept. 11 statement released by the Grizzlies. "I must also give a truly special thank you to MIT and the women I’ve had the honor of coaching for the past 12 years. I wish the program continued success."

There are fewer than a dozen women coaching in the NBA, including Raman. South Carolina Gamecocks coach Lisa Boyer became the first in 2001. Becky Hammon became the first full-time NBA assistant coach in 2014 when she was hired by the San Antonio Spurs.

The current NBA season is finishing up right now, but the start date of the next season is up in the air due to previous coronavirus delays.