Moritz Wagner, the German center for the Orlando Magic, has voiced strong support for Marie-Louise Eta’s historic appointment as head coach of Union Berlin, calling it a pivotal moment that could pave the way for women in NBA coaching roles.
Speaking on his podcast “Kannst du so nicht sagen” with athletics trainer Arne Greskowiak, Wagner praised the Bundesliga club’s decision to hire Eta, stating it was “very, very beautiful and very, very important” because “someone had to do it first to make it normal.”
Wagner, who turns 29 on April 26, 2026, emphasized that international attention on the hiring was necessary but should quickly shift to normalizing such appointments. “It’s important that it’s reported internationally and everyone talks about it. But then it should also be quickly checked off,” he said.
When asked by Greskowiak whether the NBA could soon spot women on coaching staffs, Wagner responded without hesitation: “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if teams start doing this more and more, even this summer. I see absolutely no reason why not.”
He further clarified that Eta earned her position through merit, not symbolism. “I’ve seen one or two interviews with her — she came across as genuinely cool, and I wish her all the best. But it’s also important to stress: she didn’t secure the job because she’s a woman. She was next in line.”
Eta, 34, made history in March 2026 when Union Berlin promoted her from assistant to head coach, becoming the first woman to hold that role in the Bundesliga. Her appointment followed a successful interim stint and drew global attention as a breakthrough in men’s professional sports.
Wagner, born in Berlin on April 26, 1997, has played in the NBA since 2018 after being selected 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. He has since played for the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics before joining the Orlando Magic in 2021, where he currently plays as a center/power forward.
His college career at the University of Michigan (2015–2018) included Second-Team All-Big Ten honors and MVP of the 2018 Big Ten Tournament, helping the Wolverines win back-to-back conference titles.
Internationally, Wagner represented Germany at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, and previously won gold at the FIBA Europe U18 Championship in 2014.
As of April 24, 2026, the Orlando Magic are competing in the NBA Playoffs, though specific round or opponent details were not provided in the verified sources.
Wagner’s endorsement adds to growing momentum for gender diversity in coaching, particularly in basketball, where barriers have long limited opportunities for women at the highest levels.
The NBA has yet to hire a woman as a head coach, though several have served as assistants, including Becky Hammon (San Antonio Spurs, now Las Vegas Aces head coach) and Kristi Toliver (Washington Mystics, formerly with the Wizards).
Eta’s success in Berlin could serve as a catalyst, Wagner suggested, noting that normalizing such hires begins with visible, competent leadership — exactly what he believes she brings.
When asked about the broader implications, Wagner reiterated that the focus should shift quickly from novelty to expectation. “The goal isn’t to maintain celebrating firsts,” he implied. “The goal is to make it so ordinary that no one thinks twice.”
His comments come amid increasing scrutiny of hiring practices across global sports leagues, with many calling for proactive steps to diversify leadership beyond token gestures.
For now, Wagner remains focused on his playoff run with the Magic, using his platform to advocate for change he believes is both inevitable, and overdue.
As the NBA offseason approaches, his prediction that more teams may explore hiring women coaches this summer will be closely watched — especially if Union Berlin’s experiment continues to yield positive results under Eta’s leadership.
The next confirmed step for Wagner is continuing with the Orlando Magic in the NBA Playoffs, with no further public statements announced as of April 24, 2026.
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