Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Former Owl Candice Dupree Earns Head Coaching Job
5.10.24 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – Former Temple Owl standout Candice Dupree from 2002-06, has been named head women's basketball coach at Tennessee State University.
Dupree, 39, played for coach Dawn Staley at Temple before Staley moved on to become a three-time national champion coach at South Carolina. The seven-time WNBA All-Star spent the past two years on the NBA's San Antonio Spurs' staff, where she became the second former WNBA player to coach under Gregg Popovich following Becky Hammon, who was with San Antonio from 2014 to 2022.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead and coach the future of women's basketball at Tennessee State University," said Dupree. "I am eager to continue building our program in alignment with the incredible culture and values embodied within the Tiger family. It is an honor to be entrusted with upholding the tradition and legacy of TSU while embracing the evolving landscape of sports. Most importantly, I am committed to nurturing the holistic development of our student-athletes."
Dupree, who is one of two Temple women's basketball players to have her number retired by the University, rank second all-time TU in field goal percentage (51.4%), sixth in scoring (1,698), fifth in rebounds (968) and is tied for second in blocked shots (218).
A two-time Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year, she was inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
A four-year starter, she was instrumental in helping the Cherry and White to its best three-year stretch in school history. Under her leadership, Temple won three conference titles, 73 games -- including a school-record 25 consecutive contests -- and appeared in the national rankings 27 straight weeks. Dupree was also a two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, capping her collegiate career with Third Team All-America honors.
Dupree was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and retired after her 16th season in the WNBA. A seven-time WNBA all-star, the Tampa, Fla., Dupree played for five different teams in her WNBA career. She averaged 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for her career. She had 6,895 career points and 3,149 rebounds.
Dupree's coaching career began at the NBA draft combine, where she led a team of prospects. Her association with San Antonio began when she served as an assistant guest coach for the Spurs' summer league team in July 2022. Two months later, Dupree was appointed as a player development coach for the franchise.
During her time with San Antonio Dupree played a pivotal role in nurturing one of the NBA's youngest rosters, working with talents such as the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell.
Dupree, 39, played for coach Dawn Staley at Temple before Staley moved on to become a three-time national champion coach at South Carolina. The seven-time WNBA All-Star spent the past two years on the NBA's San Antonio Spurs' staff, where she became the second former WNBA player to coach under Gregg Popovich following Becky Hammon, who was with San Antonio from 2014 to 2022.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead and coach the future of women's basketball at Tennessee State University," said Dupree. "I am eager to continue building our program in alignment with the incredible culture and values embodied within the Tiger family. It is an honor to be entrusted with upholding the tradition and legacy of TSU while embracing the evolving landscape of sports. Most importantly, I am committed to nurturing the holistic development of our student-athletes."
Dupree, who is one of two Temple women's basketball players to have her number retired by the University, rank second all-time TU in field goal percentage (51.4%), sixth in scoring (1,698), fifth in rebounds (968) and is tied for second in blocked shots (218).
A two-time Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year, she was inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
A four-year starter, she was instrumental in helping the Cherry and White to its best three-year stretch in school history. Under her leadership, Temple won three conference titles, 73 games -- including a school-record 25 consecutive contests -- and appeared in the national rankings 27 straight weeks. Dupree was also a two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, capping her collegiate career with Third Team All-America honors.
Dupree was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and retired after her 16th season in the WNBA. A seven-time WNBA all-star, the Tampa, Fla., Dupree played for five different teams in her WNBA career. She averaged 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for her career. She had 6,895 career points and 3,149 rebounds.
Dupree's coaching career began at the NBA draft combine, where she led a team of prospects. Her association with San Antonio began when she served as an assistant guest coach for the Spurs' summer league team in July 2022. Two months later, Dupree was appointed as a player development coach for the franchise.
During her time with San Antonio Dupree played a pivotal role in nurturing one of the NBA's youngest rosters, working with talents such as the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell.
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