Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Becky Hammon

Discover the career path of Becky Hammon, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Becky Hammon is a trailblazing basketball figure who transitioned from a standout playing career to a historic coaching path. After a decorated career as a WNBA All-Star and point guard—notably with the San Antonio Silver Stars—she became the first woman to be hired as a full-time assistant coach in the NBA, joining Gregg Popovich’s staff with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. Her tenure with the Spurs saw her break barriers, including becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in an NBA Summer League and the first to act as a head coach during a regular-season NBA game. In 2022, Hammon returned to the WNBA as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces. She immediately cemented her legacy by leading the franchise to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, firmly establishing herself as one of the most successful and influential coaches in professional basketball history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1995: High School Graduation and Athletic Recognition

In 1995, Becky Hammon graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, concluding a standout athletic career where she was also recognized by her peers as the female class athlete.

1998: 1998-99 Season Success and WAC Scoring Record

During the 1998-99 season, Becky Hammon led the Colorado State Rams to a dominant 33–3 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In 1998, she was named the WAC Mountain Division Player of the Year and officially surpassed Keith Van Horn as the all-time leading scorer in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

1998: 1998 William Jones Cup Gold Medal Win

In 1998, Becky Hammon was selected to represent the United States at the William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. Competing under coach Nell Fortner, Hammon contributed 18 points across five games, helping the team finish with an undefeated record and secure the gold medal.

May 12, 1999: Signing with the New York Liberty

On May 12, 1999, Becky Hammon officially signed with the WNBA's New York Liberty after going undrafted during her rookie season, marking the start of her professional career.

1999: Receipt of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award

In 1999, Becky Hammon was honored with the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, recognizing her as the premier senior basketball player in the nation under 5 feet 8 inches tall.

2001: Lisa Boyer Serves as Volunteer Assistant Coach

In 2001, Lisa Boyer worked as a volunteer assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Lucas, marking the first time a woman held such a role in the NBA.

2003: NWBL Scoring Leader

During her 2003 inaugural season with the Tennessee Fury in the National Women's Basketball League, Becky Hammon demonstrated exceptional skill by leading the league in scoring with an average of 20.6 points per game.

2003: Ascension to Starting Point Guard

Following the conclusion of the 2003 season, Becky Hammon successfully transitioned into the role of the New York Liberty's starting point guard, replacing veteran Teresa Weatherspoon.

November 12, 2004: Induction into Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame

On November 12, 2004, Becky Hammon received a significant honor by being officially inducted into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of her collegiate athletic achievements.

2004: Colorado Chill Signing and Injury Complications

In 2004, Becky Hammon signed with the Colorado Chill; however, her participation was limited to only two games as she dealt with a lingering anterior cruciate ligament injury in her right knee that was originally sustained during her 2003 season with the Liberty.

2004: Appointed Team Co-Captain

In 2004, Becky Hammon was named a co-captain for the New York Liberty, sharing leadership responsibilities with teammates Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson.

August 16, 2005: 2,000th WNBA Career Point

On August 16, 2005, Becky Hammon reached a significant career milestone by scoring her 2,000th career point in the WNBA.

January 2007: Joining Rivas Futura

During the WNBA off-season in January 2007, Becky Hammon traveled to Spain to play professional basketball for the team Rivas Futura.

April 4, 2007: Trade to the San Antonio Silver Stars

On April 4, 2007, Becky Hammon was officially traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars, a move that would lead to her establishing a significant legacy with the franchise.

2008: Becky Hammon's 2008 WNBA Season with the Silver Stars

During the 2008 season, Becky Hammon demonstrated exceptional performance by averaging 17.6 points and 4.9 assists per game, leading the San Antonio Silver Stars to a league-best 24–10 record. Her contributions were pivotal in the playoffs, including a 30-point game against the Sacramento Monarchs and a 35-point effort to eliminate the Los Angeles Sparks, ultimately guiding her team to the 2008 WNBA Finals where they finished as runners-up to the Detroit Shock.

2008: Olympic Bronze Medalist

In 2008, Becky Hammon competed for the Russian national basketball team at the Summer Olympics and successfully secured a bronze medal for her team.

2008: 2008 Olympic Basketball Performance

In 2008, Becky Hammon represented the Russian national team at the Olympic Games, where she helped secure a bronze medal by scoring 22 points against China after a semifinal loss to the United States.

2008: Becky Hammon's Russian Citizenship and National Team Shift

In 2008, after being passed over for the U.S. national team, Becky Hammon opted to pursue a roster spot on the Russian national team for the Beijing Olympics. During this same year, she officially became a Russian citizen, a move that sparked significant debate among basketball commentators in the United States. Additionally, she signed a three-year contract extension with CSKA Moscow, where she played during the WNBA off-season under coach Igor Grudin.

2009: EuroBasket 2009 Participation

Becky Hammon continued her international career by playing for the Russian national team during the EuroBasket 2009 tournament.

2009: 2009 WNBA Season Performance

During the 2009 WNBA season, Becky Hammon recorded a career-high average of 19.5 points and 5.0 assists per game, earning selections as both an All-Star and to the All-WNBA First Team.

2010: 2010 World Championship Appearance

In 2010, Hammon represented Russia on the global stage as a member of their squad during the FIBA World Championship.

August 31, 2011: Reaching 5,000 WNBA Career Points

On August 31, 2011, Becky Hammon achieved a significant career milestone by becoming the seventh player in the history of the WNBA to score at least 5,000 career points.

2012: 2012 Olympic Games Participation

Becky Hammon participated in her final Olympic cycle with the Russian national team during the 2012 Olympic Games.

August 5, 2014: Hired as Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs

On August 5, 2014, Becky Hammon made history by being hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the second female coach in NBA history.

2014: Hiring by the San Antonio Spurs

In 2014, Becky Hammon made history by being hired by the San Antonio Spurs as the first female full-time assistant coach in a major American sports league.

July 3, 2015: First Female NBA Summer League Head Coach

On July 3, 2015, Becky Hammon made history by being named the first female head coach in the NBA's Summer League after the San Antonio Spurs announced she would lead their summer league squad.

July 20, 2015: Summer League Championship Victory

On July 20, 2015, Becky Hammon cemented her place in basketball history by leading the San Antonio Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title, marking the first time a female NBA head coach won a Summer League championship.

August 2, 2015: Induction into the New York Liberty Ring of Honor

On August 2, 2015, Becky Hammon was officially inducted into the New York Liberty's Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony. This honor was bestowed upon her in recognition of her significant contributions to both the team's legacy of excellence and the broader growth of the WNBA.

June 25, 2016: San Antonio Stars Retire Becky Hammon's Jersey

On June 25, 2016, the San Antonio Stars honored Becky Hammon by officially retiring her No. 25 jersey during a ceremony held before their game against the Atlanta Dream.

2016: First Female NBA All-Star Coach

In 2016, Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first woman to serve on an NBA All-Star Game coaching staff.

June 2, 2017: Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Interview

On June 2, 2017, Becky Hammon interviewed for the general manager vacancy with the Milwaukee Bucks, though she was ultimately not selected as a finalist for the role.

December 30, 2020: Becky Hammon becomes first female acting head coach in NBA history

On December 30, 2020, following the ejection of Gregg Popovich during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Becky Hammon stepped in as acting head coach, marking a historic moment as the first woman to hold that position in the NBA.

2021: NBA Head Coaching Finalist

In 2021, Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first woman to be named a finalist for an NBA head coaching position after interviewing for the head coach role with the Portland Trail Blazers.

2021: Departure for Las Vegas Aces

In 2021, Hammon left the San Antonio Spurs to accept the head coaching position for the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the first WNBA coach to earn an annual salary exceeding $1 million.

December 31, 2021: Hired as Las Vegas Aces Head Coach

On December 31, 2021, Becky Hammon officially accepted the position of head coach for the Las Vegas Aces basketball team.

2022: First WNBA Championship Win

In 2022, Becky Hammon made history during her inaugural season as head coach by leading the Las Vegas Aces to victory in the WNBA Finals, becoming the first rookie head coach to secure a WNBA title.

2022: Advocacy for Brittney Griner's Release

In 2022, following the detention of WNBA player Brittney Griner in Russia on charges of alleged drug possession, Becky Hammon joined a collective of athletes in advocating for her release.

August 12, 2023: Induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

On August 12, 2023, Becky Hammon received high recognition for her storied career as both a professional basketball player and a coach by being formally inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

December 2023: Participation in World Series of Poker Paradise

In December 2023, Becky Hammon competed in the inaugural World Series of Poker Paradise tournament series, where she entered the $5 million guaranteed $1,650 Mystery Millions event as her first tournament.