Becky Hammon hired by San Antonio Spurs, becomes first female NBA assistant coach

By Jack Crosby | Aug 5, 2014

Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Antonio Sliver Stars guard Becky Hammon (25) shoots during the during the 2014 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

One thing that we always love to see in sports are transcending moments. Well Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs have provided us with one of those on Tuesday with the hiring of former WNBA star Becky Hammon as an assistant coach. With the hiring, Hammon becomes the first ever female assistant in the NBA.

Spurs have named retiring WNBA star Becky Hammon as assistant coach, will be first ever woman assistant in NBA.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) August 5, 2014

This is a historic moment indeed for the NBA, a sport that continues to grow by leaps and bounds all across the world every year.

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And for anyone that might not be familiar, Hammon certainly knows the game of basketball inside and out, and should be a welcome addition to the staff of the reigning NBA champions.

Hammon has been a mainstay in the WNBA since the 1999 season when she debuted with the New York Liberty. She would stay with the organization until she moved on to the San Antonio Stars in 2007, where she has spent five years, up until the 2011 season.

During her career in the WNBA, Hammon averaged 13.3 points per game and 2.6 rebounds. She also racked up multiple honors in her time, including being named to the league’s Top 15 players list back in 2011.

But now that she has proven that she can handle the rigors of a long, professional playing career, now she’ll get the chance to show that she can hang with the big boys in the sidelines.

If anyone can do it, it’s Hammon.