Becky Hammon Reflects on Her Journey and Future Prospects
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In the world of basketball, few names resonate as strongly as Becky Hammon’s. The Las Vegas Aces coach, who once served as an assistant under the legendary Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, recently shared her thoughts on her current role and the possibility of returning to the NBA in the future.
The Spurs made headlines on Friday with the announcement that Popovich will no longer be the head coach, as he transitions into a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations. Mitch Johnson, who stepped in as acting head coach after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, will now take the reins of the Spurs.
Hammon, who was coaching the Aces in their first preseason game against Dallas at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion, has a storied history with the Spurs. From 2014 to 2021, she was an assistant under Popovich and made history as the first woman to serve as an acting head coach in the NBA when Popovich was ejected from a game in 2020.
Despite her deep ties to the Spurs, Hammon is thriving in the WNBA. “I’m super happy where I am,” she expressed. “This opportunity for me, I couldn’t pass on it. … I bet on myself instead of maybe waiting it out for a maybe [in the NBA]. I’ve enjoyed being back on the women’s side. You guys know I’m effusive about my love for this team and being back in the women’s game.”
At 48, Hammon’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. After a long professional playing career in various leagues, she transitioned to coaching in the NBA before joining the Aces in late 2021. Her impact was immediate, as she became the first rookie coach to lead her team to a WNBA championship, securing another title in 2022. Hammon was also a candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers coaching vacancy in 2021 and was the first woman to serve as head coach for an NBA summer league team.
Under her leadership, the Aces have achieved an impressive record of 87-29 over three seasons. When asked about the possibility of returning to the NBA, Hammon stated, “If I were to ever make that jump again, you know it just has to be the right fit, right time, in front of the right people, with the right team.”
Hammon holds Popovich in high regard, crediting him as “a huge reason” for her success as a head coach. She reached out to him via text on Friday after hearing the news of his new role. “That’s who mentored me, that’s who spent literally thousands of hours with me,” she reflected. “Watching him, I was there eight years. It’s a lot of games, it’s a lot of practices, it’s a lot of coaches meetings. So yeah, my heart’s a little heavy for him because I know how much he loves it, but I’m sure he’ll crush this role just as much.”
- Becky Hammon’s coaching record with the Aces: 87-29
- First woman to serve as an acting head coach in the NBA
- First rookie coach to win a WNBA championship
As the basketball world continues to evolve, Becky Hammon remains a trailblazer, inspiring countless individuals with her dedication, passion, and success. Whether she stays in the WNBA or eventually returns to the NBA, one thing is certain: her impact on the game is undeniable.
Originally Written by: Adam Rittenberg
