Noelle Quinn and the Seattle Storm have shared a remarkable journey for nearly a decade. Since retiring in 2018 with them, she hasn’t stepped away; she’s stepped up. Few could have imagined that one day she would be at the helm, guiding the very franchise she once helped as a player. Her defining moment came in 2020, when head coach Dan Hughes was sidelined due to medical reasons. Quinn, alongside Gary Kloppenburg, rose to the challenge and steered the Storm to a WNBA championship, proving her ability to lead under pressure.

Now, as the head coach, Quinn carries the responsibility of bringing Seattle back to championship glory. The expectations are immense, but her journey has already shown she has the resolve to meet them. And through it all, she leans on the unwavering support of her family. But who are the people behind Quinn’s strength and success? Let’s take a closer look.

Who are Noelle Quinn’s parents?

Noelle Quinn was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 3, 1985, to Eugene Jackson and Golden Quinn. There is not much public information about her father, Eugene Jackson. However, Noelle has spoken time and again about her mother, calling her the inspiration for her basketball journey. According to the Storm HC, her mother may be a bigger sports geek than her.

“My mom watches everything. She watches high school basketball, college basketball, NBA, WNBA, and the Olympics. She’s constantly watching basketball, and she knows what she’s talking about. She’s really a fan of the game, but she’s actually become a student of the game. I think aside from her being my superhero, we have bonded over basketball because she’s taken the time to learn and grow with me,” Noelle said.

Alongside her mother, Quinn continues to draw inspiration from her older sister, who remains one of the most influential role models in her life.

Who are Noelle Quinn’s siblings?

The Seattle Storm head coach also has an older sister, Elonte Quinn. However, not much information is available about Noelle’s elder sister. But the bond between the two sisters is strong. Elonte was a significant factor in Noelle’s decision to stay on the West Coast for her college career at UCLA. And she has no regrets as she holds her mother and sister in high regard.

“Same thing as with my mom, she [Elonte] was always the biggest support. She would drop anything to help me, and I would give her my last anything. I look up to her, to her drive and dedication. She’s [Golden] an amazing mom. I feel like the older she gets, the better she gets. I always want to honour those two ladies. They’re the driving force of my life,” Noelle said.

There is a reason why Noelle respects these two so much. Both of the women in her life have been through thick and thin with her, warranting this respect from the Seattle Storm head coach.

Quinn’s family background and relationship with them

Noelle Quinn roots her journey in family and values. When she became the 19th Black female head coach in WNBA history, she honored the trailblazers before her by listing each one during her introductory press conference. For Quinn, stepping into that role was not just about basketball; it was about honoring a legacy. At the heart of her own legacy is her mother, whom she often describes as her ‘superwoman.’

A longtime teacher, Golden was the anchor of the family. She frequently brought a young Noelle to summer school, where her daughter watched her command the classroom and inspire the next generation. Those moments shaped Quinn’s outlook, and she admits that if not for basketball, teaching would have been her chosen path. “I just saw the importance of having a strong Black woman leading these future leaders of our community, of our world,” Quinn said.

Over the years, Quinn’s connection with her mother has only deepened. She often reflects on her time at UCLA, when her mom never missed a game, even traveling to support her on the road. That level of dedication left a lasting impression and ultimately influenced Quinn’s decision to stop playing overseas so she could be closer to her. For her, money and career opportunities mattered less than the bond she shared with her mother. As Quinn put it, “Our bond, our relationship, our time together trumps anything at this moment.”

Golden was also present during all but one game of Noelle’s high school career. The one game she missed was due to having a parents-teacher conference. From the days when Noelle sat beside her mother in their season tickets watching the Sparks, to now, when the Storm play the Sparks in Los Angeles, Golden Quinn has never changed her spot. She’s still in the same section, still in the same seats. For Noelle, her mother and her sister remain her greatest inspirations and biggest supporters.