In 2021, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a massive and global phenomenon. Fans from all over the world watch its games on TV or stream them online. The league is filled with some of the most talented and skilled athletes in the world, all competing to become the next NBA champion. It is a long way from where it all began in 1946, when the Basketball Association of America was founded with 11 teams as a professional basketball league.
Today, the NBA has grown and expanded to include 30 teams, with some of the most iconic sports figures of all time having come from the league. As a result, the NBA has been the focus of much attention and is the subject of numerous documentaries, articles, and books.
However, despite its progress over the years, the NBA has been criticized for its lack of representation of women in coaching positions. Despite the fact that women have made significant strides in the sport of basketball, few have been able to break into the highly competitive world of NBA coaching.
But that all changed in 2020 with the historical appointment of Becky Hammon as the first female NBA coach. Becky was an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NBA. This was a groundbreaking moment in the sport’s history and a major step forward for women in athletics.
However, Becky’s historic appointment didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of years of hard work, dedication, and a steadfast belief in her abilities. This article aims to detail the journey that led to her historic appointment and to celebrate the breaking of barriers that Becky Hammon represents.
Early Life
Becky Hammon was born on March 11, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She grew up in a small town and was the youngest of three siblings. Her father was a construction worker, and her mother was a stay-at-home mom. From a young age, Becky was interested in sports and was an avid basketball player.
She played high school basketball at Stevens High School in Rapid City and was a standout player on her team. She helped lead her team to a state championship in her senior year and was named South Dakota Miss Basketball in 1995.
College Career
After high school, Becky went on to attend Colorado State University, where she continued her basketball career and became one of the most successful players in the school’s history.
In her freshman year, she was named the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and helped lead her team to a conference championship. She continued to excel in basketball throughout her college years and was a four-time first-team All-WAC selection and a third-team All-American in her senior year.
During her college career, Becky set numerous records at Colorado State. She is the all-time leading scorer in school history, both male and female, with 2741 points. She also holds single-season records for points (870), assists (241), and three-pointers made (114). Becky was inducted into the Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.
Professional Career
After her college career, Becky went on to play professional basketball and signed with the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1999. She played for the Liberty for eight seasons and was one of the best players in the league during that time.
In 2003, Becky won a WNBA championship with the Detroit Shock and was named to the All-Star team six times throughout her career. She continued to play professionally in Russia during the WNBA offseason, which helped to develop her skills even further.
In 2007, the San Antonio Silver Stars acquired Becky in a trade, and she played for them until she retired in 2014. During her time in San Antonio, she was named to the All-WNBA First Team twice and continued to be an exceptional player who was well-respected by both teammates and opponents.
Coaching Career
After retiring from playing basketball in 2014, Becky’s next chapter in her basketball career began. She was hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, becoming the first full-time female coach in the NBA. She was also the first woman to be a head coach in the NBA Summer League in 2015.
Becky quickly proved herself as a talented coach and a valuable asset to the Spurs coaching staff. She was praised for her knowledge of the game, her ability to connect with players, and her work ethic. She was a key member of a coaching staff that helped lead the Spurs to playoff appearances in every season she was with the team.
In 2018, Becky became the first woman to interview for a head coaching position in the NBA when she met with the Milwaukee Bucks. Although she did not get the job, the interview was a significant moment for women in sports, as it proved that women were being considered for top coaching jobs in major sports leagues.
In 2019, Becky continued her trailblazing career by becoming the first woman to lead an NBA team during a regular-season game. She was the head coach for the Spurs’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers when coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the first half.
Breaking Barriers
In August 2020, Becky Hammon made history when she was named the acting head coach for the San Antonio Spurs during a game against the Houston Rockets. It was the first time a woman had ever coached an NBA team during a regular-season game.
Although the Spurs didn’t win the game, Becky’s appointment was a historic moment for women in sports. It marked a significant step forward in the fight for gender equality in the coaching ranks of major sports leagues.
Becky’s appointment as acting head coach was not just a symbolic gesture. She was trusted with leading the team in a high-pressure situation and proved that she had the skills and knowledge to do so. It was a major milestone on her journey towards becoming a full-time head coach in the NBA.
Conclusion
Becky Hammon’s journey from a small town in South Dakota to the pinnacle of the basketball coaching world is an inspiration. She has broken barriers and shattered stereotypes, proving that women can excel in coaching positions in major sports leagues.
Her journey has not been easy, but her success is a testament to her talent, hard work, and unwavering belief in her abilities. Her appointment as the first female NBA coach is not just a win for women, but a win for anyone who has ever been doubted or told that they couldn’t achieve their goals.
As Becky continues to coach and inspire others, her legacy will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. Her journey is an important reminder that there is still work to be done when it comes to gender equality in sports, but progress is being made, and women like her are leading the way.