Becky Hammon was ready to take charge of her own group. So she returned to the WNBA, where her professional career began.
After the NBA season, Hammon, a former assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, will take over as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces.
“Becoming the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces is a big step forward for me and for women’s basketball,” Hammon stated. “I can’t explain enough how valuable this opportunity is to me. Being the head coach has many perks.”
Hammon worked as a Spurs assistant for eight years and has interviewed for various NBA head coaching positions. But, for the time being, her ambition to be the first woman to oversee an NBA franchise is on pause.
“I sat in head coaching interviews (in the NBA) and people said two things to me: ‘You’ve only been in San Antonio and you’ve never been a head coach,’ she explained. “It’s difficult to get a job in the NBA.” In certain ways, I believe the NBA is on the verge of a championship. In other areas, I believe they are still a long way from hiring (a woman head coach). I’m not sure when it’ll happen.”
In the NBA, there are still a half-dozen female assistant coaches. Hammon’s credentials have won her a lot of respect: she will be the highest-paid coach in the WNBA.
Bill Laimbeer, who has been with the organization since its arrival to Las Vegas in 2017 and has led the Aces to deep playoff runs the past three seasons, including a WNBA Finals appearance in 2020, will be replaced by Hammon. Last season, the 64-year-old coach took a step back, delegating more workouts and in-game huddles to assistant Tanisha Wright. Wright left to become the head coach of the Atlanta Dream in the offseason.
“This is the company that made it very, very clear they really, really wanted me,” Hammon, 44, said.
According to a Las Vegas official, the Aces have split up the team’s general manager duties, with Laimbeer, Hammon, and a few others handling it for the time being.
Last season, the Aces finished second in the WNBA with a 24-8 record before losing in the playoffs to the Phoenix Mercury. The team, which is seeking its first WNBA championship, has a strong core lead by former MVP A’ja Wilson.
“We have some really wonderful pieces in place,” Hammon explained, “so it’s just a matter of integrating additional parts that will fit my style of play.” “To be honest, we’ll probably shoot a couple more 3s and run up and down a little more.” A competitive player is the type of player I’m looking for.”
From 1999 through 2014, Hammon was a member of the WNBA. The six-time All-Star began her career with the New York Liberty, who also interviewed her earlier this month for their coaching position. She concluded her career with the San Antonio Stars, who eventually changed their name to the Aces.
This season, Las Vegas retired her jersey, and she spent some time with the team, including working with Kelsey Plum.
“We’re thrilled to have Becky back to the Aces as our head coach,” stated team president Nikki Fargas. “Her success in basketball as a player and a coach is unrivaled, and it is fuelled by a relentless determination to be the best she can be.” Becky is the greatest person to coach this team since we have one of the most skilled teams in the WNBA.”
