Former Gonzaga women’s basketball star Haiden Palmer has returned to Spokane, joining coach Lisa Fortier’s staff as video coordinator, according to a release from the school.
“We are so excited to welcome Haiden back to Gonzaga,” head coach Lisa Fortier said. “She is a great role model and is going to make such a great impact on our players being able to share personal experiences she has had as an athlete and a professional. She made great contributions to our program in her years here as a player and we are thrilled to add her to our staff.”
Palmer played at Gonzaga from 2011-2014, leading the team in scoring (15.5 points) rebounds (5.5) and steals (3.0) on her way to a third All-WCC appearance as well as an AP All-American honorable mention – becoming just the fourth Zag to earn that honor.
Palmer also became the fifth Zag to ever be selected in the WNBA draft, going 29th overall to the Indiana Fever in 2014. She was released by Indiana before the season began, embarking on a lengthy career overseas which included stops in Puerto Rico, Israel, Iceland, and Germany. All told, Palmer is a three time league champion with three cup championships on her resume as well, and her experience as a player will no doubt help bolster coach Fortier’s program in 2022-23 and beyond.
“I am excited to be back at Gonzaga,” Palmer said. “This university and the community as a whole changed my life. I am looking forward to making an impact and learning from the elite coaches I get to work with.”
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