She was an Olympic gold medalist, a four-time All-Star selection in the WNBA, and had a Hall of Fame career with UCLA. She was the first woman to earn first-team All-America honors in both basketball and volleyball the same year (1992-93), and was named the Pac-10 Female Athlete of the Decade.

So, when the call came in from Skyline High School athletic director and girls' basketball coach Deb Bennett, she hardly needed the title "Assistant High School Coach" on her resume.

But personal rewards can be more important, and Williams saw some potential there. Tori Lindsay, her goddaughter, was on the team, as was Jenteal Jackson, whom she knew from coaching a club team.

"I just wanted to stick with them," Williams said. "They are fun kids and they are amazing."

Having younger players to guide, even those she is not familiar with, is rewarding for Williams. She is in her second year of coaching with the Eagles.

"I enjoy it. I really enjoy coaching," Williams said. "It's fun for me, it's easy, and it's fun to see the girls learn the basics and grow, and learn the little tricks that I know from playing professional ball."

As rewarding as it is for Williams, it is even more so for the players. Lindsay has known Williams for five years, well before she played and Williams coached for the Utah Shooters club team.

Lindsay even baby-sat Williams' kids for a while.

"If I have a hard time, she's there," Lindsay said. "If I don't have anyone to talk to, I can talk to her."

Having a coach of Williams' credentials on the sidelines, Jackson said, is what every athlete would like to have.

"Everyone wants to work with a professional athlete. That's their dream," Jackson said. "And she's there every day. It's great. Its like having the best of the best there."

It was Lindsay that put Bennett in touch with Williams. Bennett had no idea if Williams would be interested in an assistant coaching position, but she certainly wanted to find out.

"It was the best phone call I ever made," Bennett said. "How many times do you have an Olympic gold medalist and a professional player walk into the gym."

Williams, it seems, is just as good a coach to the Skyline team as she was a player.

"I love coaching with Natalie," Bennett said. "She is a tremendous coach, she is very patient, has a good [relationship] with the kids, and is a very good teacher."

Jackson has learned a lot from her relationship with Williams.

"I know how she coaches now, so we work well together," Jackson said. "I always know what she's going to say, before she says it."

Lindsay said Williams' presence helps the team as a whole.

"It's been really good for our team. It's really brought our team together," Lindsay said. "It gives us another perspective because she knows the game so well."