Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon is a retired professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Becky was born on March 11, 1977 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Hammon grew up in Rapid City and attended Stevens High School.
Becky Hammon: High School
Becky Hammon enjoyed a successful career as a student athlete at Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota. She played basketball for the school and led her team to three state championships.
In her senior year, Hammon earned the South Dakota Player of the Year award and selection to the all-state first team. She finished her high school career as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Colleges across the country heavily recruited Hammon.
Becky Hammon: College
After graduating from high school, Hammon attended Colorado State University. She played for the school’s women’s basketball team and became one of the top scorers in NCAA Division I history. Hammon earned three-time first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection. She also claimed the conference’s Player of the Year award in 1999.
Becky Hammon: Professional
Becky Hammon played professionally in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars. Hammon also played overseas in Europe and Russia. She made six WNBA All-Star teams. And she won a bronze medal with the United States national team at the 2006 World Championships.
Hammon: Europe and Russia
Becky Hammon had a successful career as an overseas basketball player. During her time playing professionally in Europe and Russia, she won numerous awards and accolades. Some of her notable accomplishments include:
- Winning the EuroLeague Women championship three times (2007, 2008, 2011)
- Being named the EuroLeague Women Final Four MVP in 2011
- Winning the Russian Premier League championship three times (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Being named the Russian Premier League MVP in 2012
- Winning the Russian Cup in 2013
- Being named the Russian Cup MVP in 2013
Hammon was also a member of the United States national team, with which she won a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships.
Coaching
Coaching
In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA hired Hammon as an assistant coach. She became the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history. Hammon served as the Spurs’ Summer League head coach in 2015, and she became the first female to coach a Summer League team to a championship. In 2020, Hammon became the first female to act as head coach of an NBA team when she filled in for Gregg Popovich after he got ejected from a game.
In 2021, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA hired Hammon as their head coach. She led the Aces to the WNBA championship in her first season, becoming the first female coach to win a WNBA title.
Hall of Fame
In 2023, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted Becky Hammon. She is the first female head coach inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Becky Hammon has broken down barriers and paved the way for future generations of female coaches and players as a trailblazer and role model. She continues to make history and serve as a true inspiration.
Humility
Hammon: Community Advocate
Becky Hammon is active in the community and has participated in various charitable and philanthropic efforts throughout her career. Some of her community activities include:
- Participating in the San Antonio Food Bank’s “Spurs Give Thanks” Thanksgiving food drive
- Participating in the San Antonio Spurs’ “Spurs Give” holiday toy drive
- Partnering with the San Antonio Area Foundation to create the Becky Hammon Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students from underprivileged backgrounds
- Participating in the San Antonio Spurs’ “Spurs for Schools” program, which promotes physical fitness and healthy eating habits among young people
- Participating in the San Antonio Spurs’ “Spurs Give: COVID-19 Response” initiative, which raised funds for local organizations providing relief during the COVID-19 pandemic
Hammon is also involved in various charitable and philanthropic efforts outside of her work with the San Antonio Spurs.
Becky Hammon | Career Retrospective
Becky Hammon | Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech