Newton Named to Rutgers Women's Basketball Staff
Sep 16 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Former Scarlet Knight Chelsea Newton has returned to the Rutgers women's basketball program as its director of player development, head coach C. Vivian Stringer has announced.
"Seldom would I ever hire a former player, especially one who has so recently graduated," said Stringer. "But, Chelsea Newton is different. She is the personification of what it means to be an outstanding student-athlete. Chelsea's work ethic is unquestioned, she is a selfless teammate, a great student and a person who positively impacts everyone with whom she comes into contact. We are thrilled to have Chelsea come back to Rutgers. This position will allow her to continue to impact our program while maintaining a professional playing career, and will give her an opportunity to learn about our profession."
One of the all-time greats to wear the Scarlet, Newton has spent the last two summers playing in the WNBA, most recently with the Chicago Sky, which acquired her in the Expansion Draft this past winter. She averaged 6.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals in 27 games this season while serving as a team captain. A second-round selection of the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2005 WNBA Draft, she was one of two league rookies to start every regular-season game (Temeka Johnson), helping to lead the Monarchs to the 2005 WNBA title. The 5-11 guard averaged 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.0 minutes per game, and was used as a defensive stopper, often drawing the toughest assignment on the perimeter. In fact, Newton missed a spot on the 2005 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team by just one vote, but she did earn one of five berths to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
During the winter of 2005-2006, Newton played in the Israeli Women's Basketball League for Bnot Hertziliya, and for the Lotos Gdynia in the Polish Women's Basketball League, helping to lead the latter squad to the league championship game.
The 2005 BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the All-BIG EAST Third Team, Newton averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals for Rutgers as a senior, starting 32 of 33 games and posting 15 double-digit scoring efforts. During her four years "On the Banks," Newton started 95 of 104 games, averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per contest, posting 51 double-digit scoring games (four 20+ points), two double-digit rebounding games and two double-doubles. The two-time team captain helped lead Rutgers to three NCAA Tournament berths, including the 2005 Elite Eight, as well as RU's first outright BIG EAST regular-season title during the 2004-2005 campaign. At the conclusion of her career, Newton was named the recipient of the 2005 Headley-Singer Award, given annually to Rutgers' top graduating female student-athlete, and was the namesake of the Chelsea Newton Scarlet Heart Award, given each year by the Cagers Club.
"What I can I say but that I'm thrilled to be back at Rutgers," said Newton. "I'm excited to be here, and can't thank Coach Stringer enough for giving me this opportunity. We all have one ultimate goal here and that is to win a national title. I am looking forward to doing everything I can to help Rutgers reach that ultimate goal."
Newton completed a bachelor's degree in sports management at Rutgers in 2005.
No. 9/9 Rutgers posted a 27-5 overall record during the 2005-2006 season, advancing to the regional semifinals of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights notched a perfect 16-0 mark in BIG EAST Conference regular-season play to win their second straight outright BIG EAST regular-season crown.
