Barnes accepts offer to coach Equipo Femenino La Vega in 2021 United Cup

LA VEGA, Dominican Republic - J.D. Barnes , who led Rheinland Lions to the German Finals last season, has been chosen to coach Equipo Femenino La Vega of the Dominican Republic and try to upset the 2021 United Cup.

Federation board member Arnaldo Rodriguez said the choice was made official Thursday and Barnes posted on social media that he has formally accepted the head coaching position.'

This will be a great learning experience for me to be able to coach a team that doesn't speak as much English. I know that being in Europe helped me do a better job of adjusting to culture. But this will be a new adventure,' Barnes said.

The city of La Vega have never hosted a major international competition; this will mark history of the people. 

Barnes says he would spend about six weeks with the team from June through mid-July, preparing it for the United Cup.

The team would practice at Bajo Techo Fernando Teruel before the tournament, which will also be held in La Vega.

Equipo Femenino La Vega will be the hosting club for the 2021 United Cup. The expectation is to win gold for the home fans. 

Barnes has said he would spend the next few months scouting for imports. The club has signed former National Team standouts Jennifer Estrella (183-F-87), Marlene Caceres (179-PF-88) and Eyandra Molina (172-G-90, college: NCCU). 

In addition to six medal placements in FIBA events the past 5 summers, Barnes has earned hardware around the globe.In 2015, he was appointed head coach of the USA NT in the 40th FIBA Jones Cup (Taipei, Taiwan). In three summers, he earned two silver medals and one bronze. After leaving Taiwan, Barnes was signed by Chabibeh Sporting Club (WLBL-Super League) in Beirut, Lebanon. He would be named Eurobasket.com All-Liga Mediterranean Cup Coach of the Year after leading the cup to gold. Barnes would then join Rheinland Lions of Germany. In two seasons he led the Lions to back-to-back finals. He would be named Eurobasket.com Germany Bundesliga Coach of the Year. 

Awards/Achievements:

- Eurobasket Summer League Winner - 12, 16

- Usbasket.com All-ESL Coach of the Year - 12, 16

-FIBA Jones Cup for Women in Taiwan - 14, 15, 16 (Silver)

-WUBA Champions - 17

-Usbasket.com All-WUBA Coach of the Year - 17

-Mediterranean Cup in Barcelona (Spain) Winner - 17

-Eurobasket.com All-Mediterranean Cup Coach of the Year -17, 18, 19

-Lebanese WLBL All-Star Game - 18

-Liga Catalonia Cup in Mataro (Spain) Winner - 18

-Eurobasket.com All-Liga Catalonia Cup Best Coach (Spain)- 18

-Eurbasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Coach of the Year- 19

-German Bundesliga Finalist - 19, 20

Tags : J.D. BARNES, EQUIPO FEMENINO LA VEGA, DOMINICAN REP. BASKETBALL