Becky Hammon, 38, became the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history in 2014, and this weekend she will continue making history.
The San Antonio Spurs assistant coach will become the first female to coach in the NBA All-Star game. Like she has been doing all season, she will coach under Greg Popovich, who was chosen to lead the Western squad in the fun-filled game.
“Life just has a funny way of just getting better,” she told For the Win. “I was able to take advantage of an opportunity and obviously when you’re an assistant coach to arguably the best coach in basketball history there’s lots of perks that come with it.”
Hammon is very deserving of a coaching role during All-Star weekend. She was put in charge of the Spurs’ Summer League team last summer, where she helped guide them to the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League championship.
“I can’t tell you just how many women come up to me and they’re so proud—and men too,” she said. “Dads that have daughters and sisters and mothers, they’re just so genuinely excited that doors and opportunities are now being opened.”
The 16-year WNBA veteran’s dream as a child was to play in the NBA, but coaching in it is even better. Just ask Popovich and her players.
