Pacers assistant coach Jenny Boucek reflects on making history in NBA Finals

Boucek is the first woman to be a staff assistant coach on an NBA Finals team, but she insists that she’s just focused on helping the team defeat the Thunder.

INDIANAPOLIS — At the Indiana Pacers’ team practice ahead of a crucial Game 6 of the NBA Finals, assistant coach Jenny Boucek was doing everything but focusing on the history she’s been making.

She strategized with head coach Rick Carlisle at center court, ran three-point shooting drills with T.J. McConnell, and jumped up to take a high five from 6’9” forward Obi Toppin, just as any assistant coach would.
But her presence on the floor at one of the highest levels of team leadership has never happened before in the NBA. According to the league, Boucek is the first woman to be a staff assistant coach on an NBA Finals team.