Coach Becky Hammon, San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty legend, is one win away from guiding the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title. Hammon spent sixteen seasons playing in the WNBA and never reached the mountaintop.
After she retired from her playing career, she joined the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff and the renowned Gregg Popovich coaching tree. She spent five seasons in the Spurs system before deciding to leave the NBA for the W in December 2021, becoming the highest-paid coach in WNBA history as a result.
Hammon was rumored to be up for multiple vacant head coaching positions in the NBA before taking a job with the Aces. If Hammon had been hired, she’d have been the first female head coach in the history of the NBA. She led the 2015 Spurs Summer League Team to a Summer League title as head coach.
In her first season as the head coach of the Aces, Hammon won the 2022 Coach of the Year, Jackie Young won Most Improved Player, A’ja Wilson won her second League MVP, Kelsey Plum won All-Star MVP on her way to a career-year, and the Aces made their triumphant return to the Finals.
Lindsay Schnell of USA Today asked Hammon if she thinks “everyone in the NBA feels dumb for not hiring you?”
“I’m used to people not picking me; I don’t know if you’re aware. I just do me.” Hammon says, despite all her success.
Even up 2-0 in the Finals, Coach Hammon knows the job is not finished, and she has more work to do.
“I don’t see any banners. I don’t see any balloons. I’m sure as hell happy I ain’t see that confetti again because we ain’t win nothing yet.” Hammon said.
Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for September 15 at 9:00 PM EST.
