The San Antonio Spurs continue to be pioneers the modern NBA.
This afternoon, a day after the San Antonio Stars announced the impending retirement ceremony for WNBA veteran Becky Hammon upon completing her 16th season, the five-time NBA champion Spurs trumped that news with something more historic and nearly unprecedented.
They hired Hammon as their newest assistant coach, joining European legend Ettore Messina who was hired earlier this offseason.
Hammon, who had expressed a desire to coach when her playing days would be over, spent time with the Spurs this past season watching head coach Gregg Popovich work up close. He commended her basketball acumen, her dedication and her involvement in the community.
She wants to coach after she’s done. Because she’s not just a good player but a smart player, a great person in our community, just somebody that we all respect so much, we gave her the opportunity to sit with us during the year. She came to our coaches’ meetings, argued with us. She did everything.”
[More on Hammon hiring in today’s SH Blog]
[BREAKING NEWS]: Spurs hire Becky Hammon as an assistant coach: http://t.co/HQEJ1YGrjk #GoSpursGo
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 5, 2014
.@BeckyHammon Learning the @spurs Way: http://t.co/mchliHjb8z pic.twitter.com/aNq6biYtEn
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 5, 2014
.@BeckyHammon is the first full-time female @NBA assistant coach in league history. http://t.co/33SIjXr8d9 — espnW (@espnW) August 5, 2014
There likely isn’t a better coach or organization that one could hope to learn from than Popovich and the Spurs.
Hammon isn’t the first female assistant in the NBA, as Lisa Boyer once served under John Lucas in Cleveland during the 2001-02 season. She, however, maintained duties as an assistant with the WNBA Cleveland Rockers and did not travel with the Cavaliers on road trips.
This is where the Spurs are breaking ground, as their new assistant will be a full-time member of Popovich’s staff.
.@BeckyHammon on Pop’s reason for hiring her: “I’m hiring you because you’re a good fit here and you just happen to be a woman.”
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 5, 2014
“I’m just thrilled for the opportunity to coach these unbelievable athletes” – Becky Hammon #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/qkO6zxMGgH — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 5, 2014
Here is part of her press conference:
The news of her hiring has been well-received. Her name was among the top trending topics on Twitter for most of the day, and she received many congratulatory texts and statements.
Spurs forward Austin Daye welcomed her to the Spurs family on Instagram.
Congrats to Coach Becky Hammon hired today as an assistant coach with the #Spursfamily to become the 2nd female in history to join the NBA!!! #History #Spurs #itsallaboutwinning”
Her hiring has garnered her attention from both her contemporaries and stars in both the entertainment and sports worlds.
Congrats to @BeckyHammon ! Amazing!
— Tina Charles (@tinacharles31) August 5, 2014
Congrats Becky!!!!! What an amazing opportunity! — Skylar Diggins (@SkyDigg4) August 5, 2014
Congrats @beckyhammon so happy for you love! #spurs #blessed #wonthedoit #wnba #nba #striveforgreatness — Swin Cash (@SwinCash) August 5, 2014
Congrats @BeckyHammon. That’s BIG TYME!!
— Epiphanny Prince (@Piphdagreat10) August 5, 2014
@BeckyHammon Spurs hire Hammon as assistant NBA Coach! Powerful statement by Popovich! Breakthrough for women in NBA! Congrats Becky!
— Lin Dunn (@Coach_Dunn) August 5, 2014
How’s this for a compliment? Kobe Bryant says of @BeckyHammon “Big fan of Becky since she was in college. Very bright basketball mind.” — Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 5, 2014
Congrats to @BeckyHammon for being the 1st female asst coach in the NBA! I love Pop for being progressive and recognizing Becky’s talent! — Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) August 5, 2014
Congrats @BeckyHammon – boundaries are meant to be broken
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) August 5, 2014
http://t.co/CGalIqnDRj @spurs and Popovich always ahead of the curve, GREAT move for the Champs.. #ClassOrganization — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) August 5, 2014
She still has three games remaining as a player for the Stars, then she’ll begin an all-new adventure as assistant coach on the biggest stage with the reigning NBA champions.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin
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She’s the 2nd NBA assistant who is female. Lisa Boyer, was on the staff of Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas in 2001-02. It took 13 years to have the 2nd female.
Call me in about 2 years to see if this is a big deal worthy of coverage in every sports and non-sports media outlet.
Lets see how she does (if its even possible to measure) or whether there is any trend in this direction.
There are so many male and females with prior coaching experience, looking for work.