Sandy Brondello Quick Facts
| Full Name | Sandra Anne Brondello |
| Nick Name | Sandy |
| Born | 20 August 1968 (54 years) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) |
| Weight | 136 lb (62 kg) |
| Nationality | Australian |
Who is Sandy Brondello?
Sandy Brondello is an Australian women’s basketball coach, she is currently the head coach of the New York Liberty of the WNBA. Before her retirement, to become a coach she played in Australia, Germany, and WNBA.
Women’s basketball head coach of the New York Liberty who won the WNBA Championship and the coach of the Year award during her first WNBA season. Sandy is one of Australia’s all-time best shooting guards. Furthermore, she played on Australia’s “Opals” national team at four Summer Olympics where she won three medals.
Early Life
Sandy was born in 1968 in Mackay, Queensland where her parents had a sugar can farm. She started her playing career at age of 9 years on a grass court that her father built in the backyard.
Career Background
Sandy began her career in Australia’s Women’s Basketball League (WNBL), where she was named the Australian Basketball Player Of the Year in 1992. In WNBL Sandy played only 10 seasons, reaching the playoffs on three occasions as well as being named Most Valuable Player in 1995 as a member of the Brisbane Blazers.
Sandy also played in Germany for BTV Wuppertal between 1992 and 2002, winning ten national championships as well as the 1995-1996 FIBA Women’s European Champions Cup.
In 1998 she was selected in the fourth round by the newly formed Detroit Shock and became an All-Star in the first WNBA All-Star Game in 1999. In late 1999 Sandy was selected by the Indiana Fever in the expansion draft, though she never played a game for the team, she was traded to the Miami Sol together with a first-round pick for Stephanie McCarty.
During the 2002 season, Sandy sit out of the court due to a foot injury. Moreover, in 2003, she signed as a free agent with the Seattle Storm, joining her fellow Australians Lauren Jackson and Tully Bevilaqua. In her national career, Sandy joined The Australian National Team before the age of 18 where she remained in the Opals for 17 years.
Coaching Career
Sandy started her coaching career as an assistant coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2005, She was then promoted to head coach in February 2010. In addition, she was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2009. In September 2021, Sandy and her husband were fired by the Silver Star.
In November 2013, Sandy was hired by the Phoenix Mercury to replace interim coach Russ Pennel. She led the Mercury during her inaugural season which featured a former Opals teammate Penny Taylor.
Sandy was appointed head coach of the Australian women’s basketball team in 2017, she also combine this role with WNBA coaching duties. Moreover, Phoenix Mercury announced that the team and head coach Sandy had mutually agreed to part ways and her contract which was supposed to expire after the 2021 season would not be renewed. She was officially named the head coach of New York Liberty on 7 January 2022.
Sandy Brondello Net Worth
Sandy has an estimated net worth of $5 Million.
Sandy Brondello Husband
Sandy is married to her lovely husband Olaf Lange who is also a basketball coach and assistant for the Liberty.
Sandy Brondello Awards
As player:
- In 1999 WNBA All-Star
- 2× WNBL All-Star in 1994 & 1995
- WNBL Most Valuable Player in 1995
As coach:
- WNBA champion in 2014
- WNBA Coach of the Year in 2014
- Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010
Sandy Brondello Parents
Sandy is the daughter of Dino Brondello and Estelle Brondello.
Sandy Brondello Kids
Sandy is a mother of two beautiful kids; Brody and Jayda