The San Antonio Spurs have hired the first female coach in the NBA’s history. No, she won’t be taking future Hall-of-Famer Gregg Popovich’s spot at the helm, but Becky Hammon will join the team for the upcoming 2014-15 season as a full-time assistant.
It’s the first time in NBA history a female has been given any sort of full-time coaching gig.
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Becky Hammon has been hired as an assistant coach. Per club policy terms of the contract were not announced.
Hammon, who is currently in her 16th WNBA season, announced on July 23 that she would retire as a player at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Named one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All-Time in July of 2011, Hammon ranks seventh in WNBA history in points (with 5,809), fourth in assists (1,687) and sixth in games (445).
“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “Having observed her working with our team this past season, I’m confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.”
Hammon is a six-time WNBA All-Star and has played the last eight seasons in San Antonio with the Stars. She is the club’s all-time leader in assists and three-point field goals and is second all-time in points and games.
According to USA TODAY, Lisa Boyer served as an assistant to Cavs head coach John Lucas II during the 2001-02 season but wasn’t paid and didn’t travel with the team or sit on the bench. The Clippers made former UCLA star Natalie Nakase an assistant in July, however that was only for Summer League play.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
