Becky Hammon

EXCLUSIVE
  • Six-Time WNBA All-Star and Olympic Medalist
  • WNBA Head Coach of the Las Vegas Aces, Back-to-Back WNBA Champions
  • ESPN NBA Analyst
  • First Woman Head Coach to Lead an NBA Team in Regular Season Game

Two-time Olympian and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Becky Hammon made history when she became the first woman to coach full-time in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon had a successful career as a player, including two Olympic appearances, an Olympic medal, a six-time WNBA All-Star, and being named one of the leagues “Top 15 Players of All-Time.” No stranger to breaking barriers in the sports world, Hammon joined the Spurs in 2014 in a leadership role as assistant coach. When Head Coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of a Spurs game, she made history again as the first woman head coach to lead an NBA team in a regular season game. Hammon is now the Head Coach of the WNBA Las Vegas Aces, back to back WMBA Champions. She is the first rookie WNBA coach to be named "WNBA Coach of the Year." She is joining ESPN as an Analyst, and will contribute to the network’s signature NBA shows, including Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter and NBA TodayHammon offers her unique perspective as the first female coach in a men’s league, offering takeaways for those looking to become game-changers at work and in life.

Hammon has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and named to the Sports Illustrated “Unrelenting List,” the most powerful, influential, and outstanding women in sports right now. She is included on The W25, a list of the 25 most influential players in WNBA history. In impactful keynote speeches and moderated conversations, Hammon shares her journey to the NBA, revealing vital leadership lessons and inspiring audiences to pursue their dreams relentlessly and stand up for what they believe in.

 



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News Profile - NBA Coach Becky Hammon A Trailblazer For Other Women Transforming The World Of Sports | NBC News [5:52] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Becky Hammon
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Persistence: How Individuals and Teams Can Succeed

Groundbreaker BECKY HAMMON has made history and been named “WNBA Coach of the Year” in a sprint to the top of her game. From growing up in South Dakota to leading the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships in her first two seasons as Head Coach, Becky shares her journey, how she overcame ...

Groundbreaker BECKY HAMMON has made history and been named “WNBA Coach of the Year” in a sprint to the top of her game. From growing up in South Dakota to leading the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships in her first two seasons as Head Coach, Becky shares her journey, how she overcame obstacles through dedication, and insights into what individuals and teams need to succeed.

Career Inspiration: Coaching Yourself to Greatness

Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer BECKY HAMMON reveals her meaningful approach to being a member of – and leading – a winning team. In this compelling talk, audiences are motivated by Becky’s leadership lessons which offer surprising inspiration not only about coaching a winning team, but also about ...

Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer BECKY HAMMON reveals her meaningful approach to being a member of – and leading – a winning team. In this compelling talk, audiences are motivated by Becky’s leadership lessons which offer surprising inspiration not only about coaching a winning team, but also about coaching yourself to break barriers and build the career of your dreams.

Being a Game-Changer, in Sports and in Life

Two-time Olympian and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer BECKY HAMMON is no stranger to making history, becoming the first woman to coach full-time in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs and leading the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships, making them the first team in 21 seasons to do so, ...

Two-time Olympian and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer BECKY HAMMON is no stranger to making history, becoming the first woman to coach full-time in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs and leading the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships, making them the first team in 21 seasons to do so, in her first two seasons as Head Coach. One of the most influential women in the sport of basketball, Hammon shares powerful takeaways about what it takes to be a game-changing leader, inspiring audiences to relentlessly pursue their dreams in this impactful moderated conversation.

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<p><strong>Becky Hammon’s leadership led the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships</strong></p>

Becky Hammon’s leadership led the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships

Basketball legend BECKY HAMMON led the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA Championships as Head Coach, once again showing her unmatched talent as a leader and coach. The two-time Olympian, six-time WNBA all-star, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer was the first rookie WNBA coach to be named “WNBA Coach of the Year” when she won the championship in her debut season. The Las Vegas Aces’ back-to-back championship makes hers the first team to win consecutive titles in over two decades, the third team ever to do so. This win further cements her status as one of the best basketball professionals of this generation.

Hammon pushes teams to go the distance. Her bright personality, motivational mindset, and love of the game shine inspiration onto any audience. She is, quite literally, a game-changer.

Watch Becky Hammon accept the WNBA “Boost Mobile Pioneer Award” >>

See Becky Hammon speak about breaking barriers in sports on NBC News >>

<p><strong>Becky Hammon continues to make history, becoming the first rookie coach to win an WNBA Championship title </strong></p>

Becky Hammon continues to make history, becoming the first rookie coach to win an WNBA Championship title 

BECKY HAMMON has solidified her spot in sports history, becoming the first in ever coach to win the WNBA title in her debut season with a 78-71 Game 4 victory against the Connecticut Sun. Hammon is no stranger to breaking barriers in the sports world, as she made history in 2014 as the first woman to coach full-time in the NBA as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, and the first woman to full-time coach in any of the four major men’s sports in North America. In addition to making history, Hammon also provides her years of experience and insight as an in-studio analyst for ESPN’s 2022-23 NBA season.

Hammon is a game-changer who isn’t afraid to speak out, whether it’s about breaking barriers, being an underdog, or pursuing your dreams while standing up for what you believe in. “Every hard thing that I've gone through has built something in me that I've needed down the road," Hammon told ESPN. “For me, it’s not really about proving other people wrong, it’s about proving myself right.” In demand for events with high profile groups, Hammon shares insights about leading the future of work through effective coaching and operational excellence.

Watch Becky Hammon’s feature on the ALL IN miniseries >>

<p>Becky Hammon becomes the first woman Head Coach to lead an NBA team in a regular season game</p>

Becky Hammon becomes the first woman Head Coach to lead an NBA team in a regular season game

BECKY HAMMON solidified her spot in sports history, becoming the first woman head coach to lead an NBA team in a regular season game when Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter. Hammon is no stranger to breaking barriers in the sports world, as she made history in 2014 as the first woman to coach full-time in the NBA as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, and the first woman to full-time coach in any of the four major men’s sports in North America. She will become the Head Coach of the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) after the 2021-22 NBA season. Hammon had a successful college and professional basketball career herself, including two Olympic appearances, an Olympic medal, a six-time WNBA All-Star, and being named one of the league’s Top 15 Players of All-Time. Hammon is a game-changer who isn’t afraid to speak out, whether it’s about breaking barriers, being an underdog, or pursuing your dreams while standing up for what you believe in.

“We didn't hire Becky to make history," Popovich said. "She earned it. She is qualified. She's wonderful at what she does. I wanted her on my staff because of the work that she does...She's somebody who's very skilled and could very easily fulfill the duties of a head coach in the NBA. That goes without saying.”

<p><strong>Becky Hammon, NBA Legend and the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in any of the four major men’s pro sports in North America, is named to Sports Illustrated Unrelenting List</strong></p>

Becky Hammon, NBA Legend and the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in any of the four major men’s pro sports in North America, is named to Sports Illustrated Unrelenting List

Sports Illustrated has recognized BECKY HAMMON on their Unrelenting List of the most powerful, most influential and most outstanding women in sports right now—the game-changers who are speaking out, setting the bar and making a difference. Here is what they said of Hammon:

When she was hired by the Spurs in August 2014, Hammon became the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in any of the four major men’s pro sports in North America. In the six years since that history-making moment, the undrafted six-time WNBA All-Star has been promoted to the front of the bench, led the Spurs to a Las Vegas Summer League title and earned the respect, trust and admiration of both coaches and players around the league for her basketball knowledge, coaching style and natural leadership skills. All the while, Hammon served as a trailblazer and inspiration for other women striving for male-dominated coaching positions. As head-coach vacancies hit the NBA, Hammon is among the top candidates for multiple openings.

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Biography

A seven-time WNBA All-Star, Hammon retired from the San Antonio Stars at age 37 and made an historic leap across town to the Spurs, becoming the first paid, full-time female assistant coach in NBA history.

High School

In high school, Hammon broke every Rapid City (S.D.) Stevens school record en route to capturing 1994-95 Gatorade South Dakota Girls Basketball Player of the Year honors, averaging 26 points, five steals and four rebounds as a senior.

College – Colorado State University

The major colleges, however, thought she was too small, too slow and too South Dakota. Colorado State took a chance, and the 5-foot-6 point guard broke all of the Rams records too, earning All-American recognition, winning the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the best senior player under 5-foot-8, and passing 11-year NBA veteran Keith Van Horn as the leading scorer—male or female—in Western Athletic Conference history.

WNBA

In spite of all that, Hammon was not selected in the four-round 1999 WNBA draft. She signed with the New York Liberty, however, launching a 16-year career that earned her props as one of the top 15 players in WNBA history.

OLYMPICS

In 2008, Hammon made a hard decision and joined Russia’s national team and captured an Olympic bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics. She played again for Russia in 2012, and on the plane ride back from London struck up a conversation with the man next to her: Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

NBA – San Antonio Spurs

In 2013, Hammon played just one WNBA game and tore her ACL. While injured, she unofficially interned with the Spurs, sitting behind the bench during home games, watching practices and attending film sessions.

On August 5, 2014, Becky was hired by the Spurs.

One thing that hasn’t changed for Hammon is her South Dakota roots. Ron Riherd, Becky’s high school coach, went to see her play in the WNBA multiple times and remembers Hammon being endlessly accommodating to fans and admirers after games.

“I certainly never forget where I come from,” Hammon said. “There’s not a professional team in South Dakota anywhere, so I think the fact that they get a chance to interact with these professional athletes in unique situations, to be able to impact those young lives, hopefully that’s something they never forget. Hopefully I gave them a piece of knowledge or encouragement or something that will help them later on in life.”

That hospitality has still been present in Hammon’s career as an assistant coach. When Riherd got the boys head coaching job at Stevens High School two years ago, he called Hammon and asked her if he could come to San Antonio and watch a Spurs practice. When Riherd was down at a practice, Spurs head coach Greg Popovich came over to introduce himself and exchange some banter, which led to the subject of Hammon.

“Pop said, ‘Oh by the way, did she do to you what she’s doing to me?’ and I said, ‘I’m not sure,’” Riherd said. “And he said, ‘Damn, I think she’s after my job already.’”

She made history as the the first woman head coach to lead an NBA team in a regular season game when head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of a Spurs game. Becky will become the Head Coach of the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) after the 2021-22 NBA season.

ABOUT BECKY HAMMON

High School: Stevens High School, Rapid City, South Dakota
As a Junior, voted South Dakota Player of the Year

College: Colorado State University
Number retired on January 22, 2005

WNBA Teams
New York Liberty – 1999–2006
Entered the Ring of Honor on August 2, 2015

San Antonio Stars – 2007–2014
Number retired on June 25, 2016

NWBL Teams
Tennessee Fury – 2003
Colorado Chill – 2004–2006

Teams Abroad
Trentino Rovereto Basket – 2001–2002
Rivas Ecópolis – 2006–2007
CSKA Moscow – 2007–2009
Ros Casares Valencia – 2009–2010
Nadezhda Orenburg – 2010–2011
Spartak Moscow Region – 2011–2012

Olympics
Russian National Team – 2008 & 2012

Honors & Accolades
6× WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011)
2× All-WNBA First Team (2007, 2009)
2× All-WNBA Second Team (2005, 2008)
WNBA assists leader (2007)
WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time (2011)
WNBA Top 20@20 (2016)
WNBA W25 (2021)
Spanish League champion (2010)
Queen’s Cup winner (2010)
New York Liberty Ring of Honor
San Antonio Silver Stars Number Retired
Colorado State University Number Retired
NWBL Champion
2008 Olympics Bronze Medalist
Euroleague All Star MVP
Euroleague 3 Point Champion
South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame