.jpg) Hammon coaching theLas Vegas Aces in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Las Vegas Aces | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Head coach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | WNBA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1977-03-11)March 11, 1977 (age 48) Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American / Russian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 136 lb (62 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Stevens (Rapid City, South Dakota) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Colorado State (1995–1999) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WNBA draft | 1999:undrafted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1999–2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2014–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2006 | New York Liberty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Trentino Rovereto Basket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Rivas Ecópolis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2014 | San Antonio Stars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2009 | CSKA Moscow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Ros Casares Valencia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Nadezhda Orenburg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Spartak Moscow Region | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2021 | San Antonio Spurs (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–present | Las Vegas Aces | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As player:
As head coach: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stats at WNBA.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Women's Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Rebecca Lynn Hammon (born March 11, 1977) is an American-Russian professionalbasketball coach and former player who is the head coach of theLas Vegas Aces of theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is considered among the most influential figures in basketball, as a pioneer for female coaches in theNational Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the greatest players and coaches in WNBA history.[1]
Hammon playedcollege basketball for theColorado State Rams, where she was a three-time All-American and left as the program's all-time leader in points and assists. Despite being undrafted, she played 16 seasons in the WNBA, with theNew York Liberty and theSan Antonio Silver Stars. She was one of the league's premier ball-handlers and passers, earning six WNBA All-Star and four All-WNBA selections. Anaturalized Russian citizen, Hammon played for theRussian national team, with whom she won a bronze medal at the2008 Summer Olympics. She was inducted into theBasketball Hall of Fame for her playing career in 2023.
Hammon was hired by theSan Antonio Spurs of the NBA in 2014, becoming the first female full-time assistant coach in amajor American sports league. During her tenure with the Spurs, she became the first woman to serve as a head coach in theNBA Summer League or as an acting head coach during an NBA game. Hammon left the Spurs in 2021 to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces; she was the first WNBA coach to earn over $1 million per year. She transformed the Aces into a dynasty, winning three WNBA championships in her first four seasons and receiving theWNBA Coach of the Year award as a rookie head coach.
Hammon was born inRapid City, South Dakota.[2] Hammon learned to dribble a basketball at a very young age, playing Nerf ball with her older brother and father, and continued to hone her skills on her home court.[2] She was raised as a devout Christian.[2]
Hammon played basketball atStevens High School in her hometown ofRapid City, South Dakota.[2] As a junior, she was named South Dakota Miss Basketball. As a senior, she was voted the South Dakota Player of the Year[2] after averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals per game. She graduated in 1995, and also was voted female class athlete by her graduating class.[citation needed]
Despite the accolades, she drew little attention from college basketball recruiters, who considered her too small and too slow. She eventually grabbed the attention of a Colorado State assistant coach, and she committed to the Rams.[2]
Hammon's prolific scoring for theColorado State Rams made her anAll-American three times, as well as Colorado Sportswoman of the Year. She led her team to a 33–3 record in the 1998–99 season and helped them advance to theNCAA Tournament'sSweet Sixteen. She was named theWAC Mountain Division player of the year for the 1998–99 season and surpassedUniversity of Utah playerKeith Van Horn as the WAC's all-time leading scorer.[1]
Hammon set many Colorado State all-time records, including points (2740), points per game (21.92), field goals made (918), free throws made (539), three-point field goals made (365) and assists (538). She received theFrances Pomeroy Naismith Award from theWomen's Basketball Coaches Association as the best senior player under 5 ft 8 in (1.7 m) in 1999.[3]
On November 12, 2004, Hammon was inducted into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame. On January 22, 2005, her number 25 Colorado State jersey was retired atMoby Arena.[4]
Undrafted during her rookie season, Hammon was signed to theWNBA on May 12, 1999, and joined theNew York Liberty. She had a solid rookie season statistically, backing up startingpoint guardTeresa Weatherspoon. Her aggressive play at both ends of the court made her a favorite among Liberty fans. After the 2003 season, Hammon took over for Weatherspoon as the Liberty's starting point guard and, withVickie Johnson andCrystal Robinson, became one of the team's co-captains in 2004.[citation needed]
In 2003, her first season with the Tennessee Fury of theNational Women's Basketball League (NWBL), Hammon led the league in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game. In 2004, Hammon signed with the Colorado Chill, a new team in the NWBL, but played in only two games because of ananterior cruciate ligament injury in her right knee sustained in the 2003 season when playing for the Liberty.[5]
On August 16, 2005, Hammon scored her 2,000th WNBA career point. At the end of the 2005 season, she was named to the All-WNBA Second Team.[6] In January 2007, she played her WNBA "off season" with Rivas Futura in the Spanish League.[7]
On April 4, 2007, Hammon was traded to the WNBA'sSan Antonio Silver Stars.[8] Hammon posted career high averages of 18.8 ppg (fourth best) and 5.0 apg in 2007. She led the league in assists that year.[9] While in San Antonio, Hammon earned the nickname "Big Shot Becky" because of her ability to make shots in important moments. Her nickname was derived from "Big Shot Bob", a nickname given toSan Antonio Spurs forwardRobert Horry.[10]
In 2008, Hammon averaged 17.6 ppg, and 4.9 apg as she led the Silver Stars to a WNBA best record 24–10 and led them into the playoffs for a second straight year. In the conference semi-finals, Hammon scored 30 points in a Game 1 win against the Sacramento Monarchs. San Antonio would eventually win the series and advance to the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss in Game 1 and a win in Game 2, Hammon's 35 points propelled the Silver Stars to a victory in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Silver Stars advanced to the2008 WNBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Detroit Shock 3–0.
Hammon averaged a career-high 19.5 ppg and 5.0 apg in the 2009 WNBA season. The Silver Stars had a record of 15–19 and lost to the eventual champion Phoenix Mercury in the first round. Hammon was an All-Star as well as a first-team All-WNBA selection. On August 31, 2011, Hammon became the seventh player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points. Later in the year, Hammon scored 37 points in a playoff-clinching win against the Los Angeles Sparks.[citation needed] Hammon retired from the WNBA in 2014.[11] She is a six-time WNBA All-Star.[12]
On August 2, 2015, Hammon was inducted into the Ring of Honor during halftime of the game between the New York Liberty and theSeattle Storm. The Ring of Honor recognizes players who have "made the most significant contributions to the Liberty's tradition of excellence and to the growth of the WNBA."[13][14] Previous inductees includeVickie Johnson,Teresa Weatherspoon,Rebecca Lobo,Sue Wicks, andKym Hampton.[15]
On June 25, 2016, the San Antonio Stars retired Hammon's No. 25 jersey prior to the Atlanta Dream game.[16]
Hammon had long expressed aspirations of becoming a coach after her playing career ended. On July 13, 2013, Hammon tore her leftanterior cruciate ligament in a game against theLos Angeles Sparks. During her year-long rehabilitation, Hammon attended the NBA'sSan Antonio Spurs' practices, coaches' meetings, and games, where she was frequently invited to contribute opinions.[17]
On August 5, 2014, Hammon was hired as an assistant coach for the Spurs as well as the second female coach,[18] afterLisa Boyer worked as a volunteer assistant with theCleveland Cavaliers and John Lucas in 2001.[19] Hammon's contribution to the staff made an impression on head coachGregg Popovich. In a media statement released at the time of the hiring announcement, Popovich stated: "I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff. Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic, and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs."[18]
Hammon has also earned the respect of many NBA players throughout the league. One of basketball's most prolific scorers,Pau Gasol wrote an open letter about female coaches with an emphasis on Hammon; he said, "I've played with some of the best players of this generation … and I've played under two of the sharpest minds in the history of sports, in Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. And I'm telling you: Becky Hammon can coach. I'm not saying she can coach pretty well. I'm not saying she can coach enough to get by. I'm not saying she can coach almost at the level of the NBA's coaches. I'm saying: Becky Hammon can coach NBA basketball. Period."[20]
Hammon has been inducted into theColorado Sports Hall of Fame[21] and has been selected as ESPNW's Woman of the Year.[22]
On July 3, 2015, Hammon became the first female head coach in the NBA's Summer League when the Spurs announced she would coach their summer league team. Hammon led the Spurs to theLas Vegas Summer League title on July 20, 2015, becoming the first female NBA head coach to win a Summer League title.[23]
At the2016 NBA All-Star Game, Hammon became the first woman to be part of an All-Star coaching staff.[24] On June 2, 2017, Hammon was interviewed for the position of general manager of theMilwaukee Bucks;[25] she was not considered as a finalist for the position.[26]
During her seventh season with theSan Antonio Spurs, on December 30, 2020,Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs' 121–107 loss to theLos Angeles Lakers, and Hammon became the first Russian and first female acting head coach in NBA history.[27][28]
In 2021, Hammon was the first woman to be a finalist for an NBA head coaching position when she interviewed with thePortland Trail Blazers.[29][30] The job went toChauncey Billups.
Hammon was hired as the head coach for theLas Vegas Aces on December 31, 2021.[31][32] In her first year as head coach, Hammon's Aces won the2022 WNBA Finals and she became the first rookie head coach to win the WNBA title.[33] The following season, the Las Vegas Aces repeated as 2023 WNBA champions, with Hammon becoming the first coach to win back-to-back WNBA titles in 20 years. Becky Hammon then lead the Aces to their third championship in 2025, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury.[34]
On August 12, 2023, Hammon was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions as a player and coach.[35]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game | RPG | Rebounds per game |
| APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game | BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
| TO | Turnovers per game | FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| Bold | Career best | ° | League leader |
| ‡ | WNBA record |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | New York | 30 | 1 | 6.7 | .422 | .289 | .882 | .6 | .6 | .2 | .0 | .8 | 2.7 |
| 2000 | New York | 32 | 16 | 26.1 | .472 | .369 | .884 | 2.0 | 1.8 | .9 | .0 | 1.9 | 12.0 |
| 2001 | New York | 32 | 0 | 19.3 | .457 | .378 | .784 | 1.6 | 1.6 | .8 | .0 | 1.5 | 8.2 |
| 2002 | New York | 32 | 1 | 20.6 | .442 | .386 | .679 | 2.1 | 1.7 | .8 | .0 | 1.7 | 8.0 |
| 2003 | New York | 11 | 2 | 23.4 | .575 | .469° | .951° | 1.9 | 1.6 | .9 | .1 | 2.4 | 14.7 |
| 2004 | New York | 34 | 34 | 33.2 | .432 | .335 | .836 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 1.7 | .1 | 3.4 | 13.5 |
| 2005 | New York | 34 | 34 | 34.7 | .432 | .365 | .901° | 3.4 | 4.3 | 1.8 | .1 | 3.1 | 13.9 |
| 2006 | New York | 22 | 20 | 30.8 | .425 | .343 | .960° | 3.0 | 3.7 | 1.3 | .1 | 2.9 | 14.7 |
| 2007 | San Antonio | 28 | 26 | 33.4 | .445 | .404 | .931° | 2.8 | 5.0° | .8 | .2 | 4.0 | 18.8 |
| 2008 | San Antonio | 33 | 33 | 33.4 | .390 | .350 | .937 | 2.8 | 4.9 | 1.3 | .2 | 3.1 | 17.6 |
| 2009 | San Antonio | 31 | 31 | 33.8 | .447 | .369 | .901 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 1.6 | .4 | 3.5 | 19.5 |
| 2010 | San Antonio | 32 | 32 | 33.6 | .442 | .390 | .960° | 2.9 | 5.4 | 1.1 | .2 | 3.3 | 15.1 |
| 2011 | San Antonio | 33 | 33 | 31.8 | .440 | .389 | .892 | 2.9 | 5.8 | 1.5 | .2 | 3.6 | 15.9 |
| 2012 | San Antonio | 33 | 33 | 30.2 | .441 | .435 | .876 | 2.5 | 5.3 | .9 | .2 | 3.2 | 14.7 |
| 2013 | San Antonio | 1 | 1 | 12.0 | .333 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| 2014 | San Antonio | 32 | 32 | 24.5 | .417 | .398 | 1.000‡ | 1.4 | 4.2 | .4 | .1 | 1.6 | 9.1 |
| Career | 450 | 329 | 27.9 | .438 | .378 | .897 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 1.1 | .1 | 2.7 | 13.9 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | New York | 6 | 0 | 8.3 | .167 | .222 | 1.000 | .2 | .8 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| 2000 | New York | 7 | 7 | 29.4 | .429 | .304 | .895 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 1.3 | .0 | 2.4 | 9.4 |
| 2001 | New York | 6 | 0 | 8.0 | .353 | .300 | .000 | .5 | .3 | .2 | .0 | .5 | 2.5 |
| 2002 | New York | 8 | 0 | 22.9 | .537 | .424 | .875 | 2.1 | 2.0 | .6 | .0 | 1.3 | 9.9 |
| 2004 | New York | 5 | 5 | 35.6 | .392 | .333 | .400 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .0 | 3.8 | 10.6 |
| 2005 | New York | 2 | 2 | 38.0 | .450 | .286 | 1.000 | 3.5 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | 5.0 | 11.5 |
| 2007 | San Antonio | 5 | 5 | 35.0 | .413 | .444 | .800 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 1.2 | .2 | 3.2 | 20.8 |
| 2008 | San Antonio | 9 | 9 | 36.8 | .421 | .458 | .895 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 18.1 |
| 2009 | San Antonio | 3 | 3 | 33.7 | .463 | .381 | .900 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.7 | .0 | 2.3 | 18.3 |
| 2010 | San Antonio | 2 | 2 | 37.0 | .393 | .389 | 1.000 | 3.5 | 5.5 | .5 | .0 | 4.0 | 20.0 |
| 2011 | San Antonio | 3 | 3 | 34.7 | .350 | .391 | .857 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 1.7 | .7 | 3.0 | 16.3 |
| 2012 | San Antonio | 2 | 2 | 35.0 | .500 | .364 | 1.000 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | .0 | 3.5 | 17.0 |
| 2014 | San Antonio | 2 | 2 | 28.5 | .526 | .500 | 1.000 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | .0 | 2.5 | 14.5 |
| Career | 60 | 40 | 27.5 | .426 | .390 | .889 | 2.0 | 2.9 | .9 | .1 | 2.4 | 12.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | Colorado State | 31 | - | - | 47.2 | 42.7 | 80.9 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.1 | - | 19.2 |
| 1996–97 | Colorado State | 28 | - | - | 46.0 | 39.7 | 77.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 0.1 | - | 22.1 |
| 1997–98 | Colorado State | 30 | - | - | 50.9 | 40.2 | 88.6 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 0.1 | - | 23.5 |
| 1998–99 | Colorado State | 36 | - | - | 49.6 | 41.6 | 86.2 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 0.1 | - | 22.9 |
| Career | 125 | - | - | 48.5 | 41.1 | 84.1 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 0.1 | - | 21.9 | |
| Statistics retrieved fromSports-Reference.[36] | |||||||||||||
| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 2022 | 36 | 26 | 10 | .722 | 1st in Western | 10 | 8 | 2 | .800 | WonWNBA Championship |
| Las Vegas | 2023 | 40 | 34 | 6 | .850 | 1st in Western | 9 | 8 | 1 | .889 | WonWNBA Championship |
| Las Vegas | 2024 | 40 | 27 | 13 | .675 | 2nd in Western | 6 | 3 | 3 | .500 | Lost inSemifinals |
| Las Vegas | 2025 | 44 | 30 | 14 | .682 | 2nd in Western | 12 | 9 | 3 | .750 | WonWNBA Championship |
| Career | 160 | 117 | 43 | .731 | 37 | 28 | 9 | .757 | |||
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Hammon was named to the team representing the United States at the 1998William Jones Cup competition inTaipei,Taiwan. The U.S. team, coached byNell Fortner, won all five games, earning the gold medal for the competition. Hammon scored 18 points over the five games.[37]
In 2008, after learning that she would not be invited to try out for theU.S. national team, Hammon announced she would try to claim a roster slot on theRussian national team in the2008 Olympics inBeijing. Hammon became a Russian citizen in 2008, a decision that was controversial at the time among American basketball commentators.[38] The coach of Russia's team, Igor Grudin, was also the sports director of the CSKA team that Hammon played for in Moscow during the WNBA off-season. Hammon also signed a three-year extension withCSKA Moscow at around the same time she was named as a prospect for the national team.[citation needed]
Hammon shot 1-for-6 from the field in a 67–52 loss to the United States in the 2008 Olympic semifinals, but helped the Russian team to win the bronze medal by scoring 22 points against China. She played for Russia atEuroBasket 2009, the2010 World Championship and the2012 Olympics.[citation needed]
In response to thedetention of Brittney Griner in Russia due to alleged drug possession in 2022, Hammon joined other athletes to call for the release of Griner.[39]
Hammon was shown inMarie Claire magazine's "The 8 Greatest Moments for Women in Sports".[40]
Hammon has been in a relationship with Brenda Milano since 2015. They have two sons.[41]
Hammon is also a noted poker player in the WNBA off-season. In December 2023 she attended the inauguralWorld Series of Poker Paradise event, where her first tournament was the $5 million guaranteed $1,650 Mystery Millions.[42]
Hammon's decision to gain naturalized Russian citizenship in order to play for theRussian national team in the2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was controversial in American basketball.[38] In some circles she was branded an American traitor, with then-U.S. national coachAnne Donovan questioning her patriotism. "If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind," Donovan said.[43]
Hammon responded to Donovan's criticism saying, "You don't know me. You don't know what that flag means to me. You don't know how I grew up. The biggest honor in our classroom was who could put up the (American) flag, roll it up right, not let the corners touch the ground. Obviously we definitely define patriotism differently." She has also stated. "I love my country. I love our national anthem. It absolutely gives me chills sometimes. I feel honored to be an American, to be from America because of what we stand for."[43] Hammon said she played for Russia primarily to play on the Olympic stage, and it was not a purely financial decision. However, by obtainingRussian citizenship, her salary with CSKA tripled, and she was eligible to make $250,000 for winning a gold medal for Russia from the government. She would have received a $150,000 bonus for winning a silver medal.[43]
Since then, Anne Donovan changed her position, stating "I don't know that I have any strong thoughts on [Becky Hammon joining the Russian national team] anymore. Even at the time. I've known marathon runners in particular that I've watched over the years have represented other countries. I've watched other athletes do it."[44]
She also said:
The thing that took me off guard with Becky was that it hasn't happened in women's basketball before. And again, the facts around that: that we didn't ask her to participate, that we didn't ask her to try out for our team, that's really what I had the most issue with. Becky made a great business decision and this was a great opportunity for her to get to the Olympic Games. I hold no grudge and more power to her. But the facts around it when it first came out were not accurate. Becky came, had a great experience; I'm glad we're going to the gold medal game.[44]
In May 2023, Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension from theWNBA for violating the league's 'respect in the workplace' policies in her treatment of former Aces playerDearica Hamby.[45] This suspension was the result of a multi-month investigation into Hamby's allegations of discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of Hammon and the Aces after informing them of her pregnancy in August 2022, a pregnancy she alleges is also what led to the team trading her toLos Angeles Sparks in January 2023.[46] The WNBA's investigation included interviews with 33 people, in addition to a review of documents including texts and emails, and further resulted in the Aces losing their first round 2025 draft pick.[46]
In September 2023, Hamby filed a discrimination complaint with theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after criticizing the WNBA's investigation for failing to speak with other Aces players and for not dispensing adequate punishment to Hammon or the team. The EEOC granted Hamby a "Notice of the Right to Sue" on May 23 2024.[46]
On August 12, 2024, Hamby filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the WNBA and the Aces.[46] In the lawsuit, Hamby alleges that Hammon questioned her commitment and dedication to the Aces; asked if Hamby's pregnancy was planned; and told Hamby that she was a "question mark" on the team as the Aces "needed bodies" and she would not be ready to play in time for the start of the 2024 season.[45][46][47] It further alleges Hammon told Hamby that she did not "hold up her end of the bargain," implying that Hamby had implicitly agreed not to get pregnant when she signed her two-year contract extension.[47]
Hammon has denied the allegations, stating in a post-game press conference after the federal lawsuit was filed:
"Here's some facts: I've been in either the WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years. I've never had an HR complaint. Never, not once. I still didn't, actually, because Dearica didn't file any. She didn't file with the players' union, she didn't file with the WNBA. Those are facts. It's also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January [2023]. That's a fact. So...it just didn't happen. I'm sorry, the bullying? I spoke with her every day. If she wanted to practice, she practiced. If she didn't, she didn't. Over-the-top care, actually. Over-the-top care."[48]
The lawsuit is currently ongoing.
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