BECKY HAMMON

Fresh off of leading the Las Vegas Aces to a WNBA championship in her rookie season as head coach, Hammon has a new job. Prior to joining the Aces last season, Hammon spent eight seasons in the NBA as an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich's staff with the San Antonio Spurs. She was the first woman to serve as an NBA assistant coach and was a candidate in multiple NBA head coaching searches. She relieved Popovich as head coach when he was ejected in a 2020 game against the Los Angeles Lakers. She earned WNBA Coach of the Year honors along the way.

The Spurs are hiring WNBA champion Candice Dupree to the coaching staff, the team announced on Friday. Candice Dupree's career, coaching ascensionDupree, 38, is a 16-year veteran who last played for the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream in the 2021 season. It also serves as a talent pipeline to move up into the NBA coaching ranks. WNBA players in coaching ranksWhen Hammon first joined the Spurs coaching staff in 2014, it was met with pushback that the team was only doing it to look progressive or meet a quota. Former WNBA players in the NBA coaching ranks currently include Lindsey Harding (Kings), Teresa Weatherspoon (Pelicans) and Kristi Toliver (Mavericks), who has juggled coaching and playing the last few seasons.

The Las Vegas aces celebrated their WNBA championship on Tuesday in Las Vegas fashion. The champs had their victory parade surrounded by revelers on the Las Vegas Strip. Where most cities opt for early starts, Vegas got the Aces party around happy hour. Plum, who announced to the world that she was "so faded" the night of the Aces' championship win over the Connecticut Sun, was clearly making the most of Tuesday's celebration. Enjoy, Las Vegas.

Las Vegas will be attempting to do something that hasn't been done in the WNBA in 20 years. She led the team to the WNBA Finals in 2020 before they were swept by Seattle. Besides their MVP, other key players the Aces have signed for the next few seasons included WNBA Finals MVP Chelsea Gray and backcourt mate Kelsey Plum. “We’re doing it for each other and it’s created a bond.”That bond starts at the top with Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis. The team was swept in the 2008 WNBA Finals.

The Las Vegas Aces are poised to win multiple championships over the next few years with core players like A'ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray signed to deals that will keep them in Nevada.

Chelsea Gray scored 20 points to lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title in a 78-71 road win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 on Sunday.

Hammon lifted the WNBA championship trophy on Sunday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena after leading the Aces to a 78-71 win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4. 1 pick, said looking back it felt like people thought, “Oh, cute,” that the Aces made it that far. Still, no WNBA team took her in the 1999 draft and she joined the New York Liberty on a training camp contract. Aces no underdog, but needed tinkeringWhen Hammon took the job, she had Wilson, the 2020 MVP, come down to San Antonio to work out and chat. Not every WNBA team elicits “did you see their Insta reel?” from casual fans.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — (AP) — Chelsea Gray scored 20 points to lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title in a 78-71 road win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 on Sunday. It’s the first major pro sports title for a team from Las Vegas, and Wilson surely hopes this is just the beginning. She left an assistant coach position with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs to take over in Las Vegas, and the move paid off. They can cheer more in a few days: a parade on the Las Vegas Strip is planned for Thursday evening. You have made Las Vegas so proud!” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said in a statement.

Chelsea Gray scored 20 points to lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title in a 78-71 road win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4.

Alyssa Thomas had the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history to help the Connecticut Sun stave off elimination by beating the Las Vegas Aces 105-76 in Game 3.

The Connecticut Sun might be down one game in the WNBA Finals after losing their first series opener of the postseason, but they haven’t lost confidence thanks to a stringent defensive effort in Game 1.

Jackie Young sent the game in overtime with a buzzer-beating basket and then Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum hit big shots in the extra session to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Seattle Storm 110-98 to move within a victory of advancing to the WNBA Finals.

SEATTLE — (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 29 points, Kelsey Plum added 16 including a key 3-pointer in the final minute, and the Las Vegas Aces spoiled the final regular season home game for Sue Bird beating the Seattle Storm 89-81 on Sunday. But the Aces weren’t willing to play their part in ensuring Bird’s finale was a win. Wilson dominated the first three quarters, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both scored 15 and the Aces never trailed the final 28 minutes. “To be so good for so long,” said Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon, who was an opponent of Bird’s in her first WNBA game on May 30, 2002. For now, Bird’s next act is trying to make sure the Storm play again on their home floor.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for drug charges.

The Las Vegas Aces have come out of the All-Star break on a roll, winning three road games and scoring more than 100 points in two of victories.

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty 108-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)The Las Vegas Aces announced on Sunday that they've signed Kelsey Plum to a two-year contract extension. ♦️♠️𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: The Las Vegas Aces organization is excited to announce the contract extension of All-Star guard Kelsey Plum. Plum, who was recently named the 2022 All-Star MVP at her very first All-Star Game, is having a breakout season for the Aces.

Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago.

Kelsey Plum views her improved play this season to just having more time on the court.

Lynx Aces Basketball Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and forward A'ja Wilson celebrate after a play against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. The in-season title game will be played at the home of the team with the better record — which right now is Las Vegas. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head matchups and Las Vegas won the first meeting between the teams. Seattle won the inaugural Commissioner's Cup last season with the championship game played in Phoenix on a neutral court. Las Vegas (13-2): The Aces have won four straight and lately have been getting dominating efforts from A'ja Wilson.

Brittney Griner is easily the most prominent American locked up by a foreign country. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File) (Rick Scuteri)KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — Penny Taylor used her induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame to call for the release of her former WNBA Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, noting it's been 114 days since the seven-time WNBA All-Star was detained. Taylor helped Australia win two Olympic silver medals in 2004 and 2008. Milton-Jones also helped the U.S. win Olympic gold in 2000 and 2008, missing the 2004 Athens Games with an injury. He also has helped win six gold medals with USA Basketball.

Penny Taylor used her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame to call for the release of her former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

Mercury Aces Basketball Las Vegas Aces forward Theresa Plaisance (55), forward Dearica Hamby (5) and forward A'ja Wilson, right, celebrate after winning a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) (Ellen Schmidt)Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year. “It just seems like it’s a breath of fresh air for all of us,” said Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson, who hit two 3-pointers in Monday's win. Las Vegas (7-1): All five starters are averaging in double figures in scoring which makes the Aces even more difficult to guard. Phoenix (2-4): The schedule hasn't been kind to the Mercury with three of their first six games against the Las Vegas Aces.

Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year.

APTOPIX Spurs Pelicans Basketball New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts with the crowd after scoring a 3-point basket in the first half of an NBA play-in basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in New Orleans, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul trouble to add 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in a Western Conference play-in game. Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 23 points. After Ingram went to the bench with three fouls 5:17 before halftime, McCollum carried the Pelicans offensively. TIP INSSpurs: After eight years as a San Antonio assistant, Becky Hammon officially assumed her new position as head coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul trouble to add 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in a Western Conference play-in game.

"I'm ready to have my own team," Hammon said Monday. "And this is the organization that made it very, very obvious they wanted me really, really bad."

Aces Hammon Basketball FILE - San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in San Antonio. Hammon, an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, will take over as the Las Vegas Aces' head coach and general manager after the NBA season concludes. There’s something to being a head coach.”Hammon has spent eight seasons as a Spurs assistant and has interviewed for several NBA head coaching jobs. But for now, her dream of becoming the first woman to lead an NBA team is on hold. “We’re very excited to have Becky return to the Aces’ franchise as our head coach,” team president Nikki Fargas said.

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon was ready to lead her own team.

Hammon is finalizing a deal to become the next coach of the Las Vegas Aces. The veteran San Antonio Spurs assistant took the lead spot with the Las Vegas Aces on Friday. “We’re very excited to have Becky return to the Aces’ franchise as our head coach,” said Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas. “Becky has become an integral part of our program in every way, shape and form,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “This is the best possible scenario for the Las Vegas Aces,” said Laimbeer.

Becky Hammon is finalizing a deal to become the next coach of the Las Vegas Aces, according to a person familiar with the situation. She is expected to be the highest paid coach in the WNBA, earning three or four times more than the highest paid player in the league. She told the AP in an interview in August that: "There's 30 jobs and they are incredibly hard to get. Bill Laimbeer, the Aces' current coach, has been with the organization since it first moved to Las Vegas in 2017. The Aces finished with the second-best record in the WNBA last season at 24-8 before falling to the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals.

Becky Hammon is the next coach of the Las Vegas Aces.

Teresa Weatherspoon and Vickie Johnson were the dynamic backcourt duo for the original New York Liberty team in 1997.

LAS VEGAS — (AP) — Becky Hammon can't wait for the time when it's normal for women to interview for head coaching positions in the NBA and their gender isn't the story. Half the world’s population hasn’t been tapped for their mind and ability and skill sets in the sports world. “There's 30 jobs and they are incredibly hard to get,” Hammon said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “Hire me because of my skill sets and coaching, who am I as a person, hire me for those." “Put a little something extra on the line.”While Hammon is excited about the game, not all the players are thrilled by the timing.

Becky Hammon can’t wait for the time when it’s normal for women to interview for head coaching positions in the NBA and their gender isn’t the story.

Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon spoke to CNBC about being considered for the Trail Blazers' head coach job and why she's ready for a more prominent role.

The Portland Trail Blazers went into damage-control mode while introducing Chauncey Billups as their new head coach.

The Athletic reported that Billups had accepted the job but contract negotiations were ongoing. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. The Blazers were also interested in Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, as well as San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon. Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration after it was reported that Blazers guard Damian Lillard had endorsed him for the job. Billups, 44, was hired as an assistant under Clippers coach Tyronn Lue last November.

In both Kentucky and in the rest of the United States, we are dumbing down education in a way that may be irreparable for generations to come. I grew up in an era where grades held merit. In that time, when a student had a straight A report card, it was accepted that those grades correlated with the positive aptitude, attitude, and discipline of an individual.

Kenya national men's basketball team head coach Liz Mills, center-right, poses with assistant coach Sadat Gaya, center-left, for a photograph with the team at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Liz Mills)CAPE TOWN – Liz Mills’ decision to look more professional when coaching basketball games by wearing high-heeled leather boots instead of sneakers was somehow seen as provocation. She'll make history as the first female head coach at the tournament in August. “I’m the head coach,” Mills responded. "It's easy, it's coach or coach Liz.

Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to coach an NBA team. The assistant coach took over the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. San Antonio Spurs coach Becky Hammon questions a call from official Derek Richardson (63) in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T on Dec 30, 2020. "Well deserved," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. A recently unveiled mural in San Antonio pays homage to her trailblazing career.

Hammon became the first woman to direct an NBA team, taking over the Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to the Lakers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to direct an NBA team. The Lakers took their first double-digit lead at 35-25 on Kyle Kuzma’s 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. Lakers coach Frank Vogel did not elaborate on Caruso’s status. Spurs: Popovich said the Spurs will monitor Aldridge’s knee soreness on a day-to-day basis.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks to assistant coaches Becky Hammon, center, and Will Hardy during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 119-114. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO – Becky Hammon became the first woman to direct a team in NBA history, taking over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers following Gregg Popovich’s ejection in the first half. Hammon took over the team's huddles during timeouts and walked the sideline following Popovich’s ejection. A three-time All-American at Colorado State, Hammon played for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars in the WNBA as well as overseas before retiring to join Popovich’s staff in 2014.

(AP Photo/Darren Abate)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___East Tennessee State will allow 10% of capacity for basketball games starting Wednesday night at the Buccaneers’ men’s game with Western Carolina. No single-game tickets will be available, though 100 student tickets will be available for games at Freedom Hall and 50 for women’s games at Brooks Gym. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference announced that the men’s basketball game between No. ___Syracuse's women’s basketball game against North Carolina scheduled for Thursday has been postponed. ___Vanderbilt women’s basketball has postponed the first three Southeastern Conference games of the league schedule as it deals with positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and quarantines.

Popovich was not serving as head coach for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. It is unclear if Popovich will wear a mask for the entirety of the Spurs time at Disney. Popovich was the coach who spoke in the teams pregame news conference and followed NBA rules by wearing a mask in that availability. GIANNIS' FOULSBucks star and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had five first-half fouls in his team's scrimmage opener against San Antonio. The last time a player had five first-half fouls in an NBA game that counted was Dec. 7, 2013, when Utah's Mike Harris did it against Sacramento.

It's not only the National Basketball Association that suffered a huge blow with Kobe Bryant's passing, but the women's game was also impacted by losing one of the sport's biggest ambassadors. In an interview with CNBC, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, who played eight seasons in the WNBA, described Bryant as a "basketball fan" who "appreciated" the women's league. "The women's game lost a real advocate and someone who truly believed that women can do anything." "The belief that he had in his daughter, the belief that he had in women's basketball the appreciation he had for women's basketball, touched me, motivated me, inspired me." "Kobe, the man, trumps Kobe, the basketball player," Hammon said.

History was made in the NBA this month when Becky Hammon was named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs summer league team

He was once considered "America's Dad," an enormously popular actor, comedian, and moralist; and history was made in the NBA this month when Becky Hammon was named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs summer league team