"I have never felt more at home than in Corvallis": Former star hooper Sydney Wiese after joining Oregon State as assistant coach

Sydney Wiese, the four-time all-conference player for Oregon State (2013-17) who led them to their lone Final Four, has joined his alma mater as an assistant coach. She fills Beavers’ one of two vacant coaching spots and will operate under head coach Scott Rueck.

Sports commentator and columnist John Canzano shared the former star hooper's sentiments about joining her alma mater folowing a decorated professional career.

"Even as I have been away playing in different cities, living in different countries, I have never felt more at home than in Corvallis," Canzano quoted Sydney Wiese in his latest X post.

Wiese is considered an Oregon State legend. She was a fan-favorite during her playing days with the program due to her massive impact on the culture and community.

Sydney Wiese recorded 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in her senior year for the Beavers while shooting 42.6% from 3 and 45.7% from the field. She holds multiple program records in 3-point shooting and assists alongside an unmatched Pac-12 conference feat of 373 made threes.

She was also a part of the 2015 Team USA roster during her collegiate days and holds a gold medal from the 2015 World University Games in South Korea. Wiese joins Orgon’s staff immediately and will spearhead the program’s recruiting from the weekend.

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Sydney Wiese had a contrasting WNBA journey to her Oregon days

Sydney Wiese was picked 11th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2017 WNBA Draft. She erupted for 22 points in her second big league game behind six threes. However, her rookie role heavily demanded her to come off the bench, resulting in averages of 2.3 points and 0.3 assists under eight minutes per game.

Wiese received only 3.3 minutes per game the next year, resulting in a scoreless season. That changed in 2019 when she was handed a starting role, but she couldn't replicate her college success in the WNBA. She posted 4.8 points in points in the third year and topped it with a career-best 6.8 points during the COVID-19-shortened season.

Wiese was handed a multi-year extension in May 2020 but was traded to the Washington Mystics next year, where she ended her WNBA stint. She now joins her former Oregon teammate Deven Hunter, an assistant coach, under their former head coach Rueck.