Cherokee Nation Citizen Latricia Trammell Hired as Assistant Coach for Chicago Sky

Cherokee 411 Staff Report-

CHICAGO -November 26, 2025— The Chicago Sky have hired Latricia Trammell, a Cherokee Nation citizen and one of the WNBA’s most experienced coaches, as an assistant for the 2026 season, the team announced this week.

Trammell joins the Sky after serving as a scout and special assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2025 campaign. Her addition brings more than a decade of professional coaching experience at the WNBA level, as well as extensive work across collegiate and national programs.

Sep 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell watches her team take on the Las Vegas Aces during the second half during game three of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The hire comes as Chicago enters a significant offseason, holding the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft and preparing for major roster decisions under head coach Tyler Marsh. The team finished the 2025 season with a 10–34 record and is undertaking a broad restructuring effort aimed at long-term development.

A Cherokee Nation Citizen with a Long WNBA Track Record

Trammell, widely respected for her defensive strategy and player development background, is one of the few Native American coaches to serve in major professional sports. Her career includes posts with the San Antonio Stars, Los Angeles Sparks, and Dallas Wings, as well as head-coaching positions at the collegiate level.

In 2023, she was hired as head coach of the Dallas Wings, leading the team for two seasons and earning runner-up for WNBA Coach of the Year in her first year. After Dallas, she returned to Los Angeles for the 2025 season in a hybrid scouting and coaching role.

Her earlier WNBA tenure includes serving as an assistant and defensive specialist for the Sparks from 2020 to 2022, where she contributed to multiple systems and coaching staffs.

Chicago Targets Stability and Experience

Chicago’s decision to add Trammell signals a focus on veteran leadership as the franchise rebuilds. With a young roster and a coaching staff entering its second season under Marsh, the Sky are using this offseason to strengthen internal structure before the 2026 campaign.

Team officials say the early hire reflects the importance of establishing continuity ahead of free agency and draft preparations.

A Significant Addition for Native Representation in Sports

Trammell’s move to Chicago adds to the growing visibility of Native athletes and coaches in professional leagues. As a Cherokee Nation citizen with a long record of success, her continued presence in the WNBA marks a rare and meaningful level of representation in U.S. professional sports.

Chicago is expected to finalize additional staff and roster decisions in the coming weeks as the 2026 season approaches.