Rebecca Lynn Hammon is a Russian-American basketball coach and former player. Currently, she is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. Hammon's impressive basketball career includes playing for the San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty in the WNBA, as well as internationally. Although born in the U.S., she became a Russian citizen and played for their national team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Notably, she also served as an assistant coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.
March 11, 1977: Birth of Becky Hammon
On March 11, 1977, Rebecca Lynn Hammon was born. This marks the beginning of her journey to becoming a prominent figure in basketball.
1995: Hammon Graduates High School with Top Honors
In 1995, Becky Hammon graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she had already made a name for herself as an exceptional basketball player.
1998: Hammon Achieves All-American Status and Leads Colorado State to Success
Becky Hammon's exceptional skills on the court were recognized in 1998 when she earned All-American honors for the first time. Her leadership played a crucial role in leading the Colorado State Rams to an impressive 33-3 record.
1998: Hammon Wins Gold with US Team at William Jones Cup
In 1998, Becky Hammon showcased her basketball talent on an international stage by representing the United States at the William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, where the team secured the gold medal.
May 12, 1999: Hammon's WNBA Journey Begins with the New York Liberty
On May 12, 1999, Becky Hammon's professional basketball career officially began when she signed with the New York Liberty, marking her entry into the WNBA.
1999: Hammon Earns National Recognition and Receives Prestigious Award
In 1999, Becky Hammon's exceptional senior year was capped off with a prestigious honor: the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, recognizing her as the best senior player under 5'8".
2001: Lisa Boyer Serves as Volunteer Assistant Coach
In 2001, Lisa Boyer served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking an early instance of female presence in NBA coaching roles.
2003: Hammon's Breakout Season Cut Short by Injury
Becky Hammon experienced both triumph and adversity in 2003. She had a breakout season in the WNBA, showcasing her offensive prowess, but a knee injury unfortunately cut her season short.
2003: Hammon Excels in NWBL, Leading the League in Scoring
Becky Hammon's talent shone brightly in the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) during the 2003 season, where she dominated the competition and finished as the league's leading scorer.
2003: Hammon Steps into a Starting Role
In 2003, Becky Hammon's role with the New York Liberty expanded as she took over as the starting point guard, showcasing her leadership and skills on the court.
November 12, 2004: Hammon Inducted into Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame
Becky Hammon's remarkable college basketball career was celebrated on November 12, 2004, when she was inducted into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame.
2004: Hammon Faces Setback with Knee Injury
In 2004, Becky Hammon's season was unfortunately cut short due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her right knee, posing a significant challenge to her career.
2004: Hammon Embraces Leadership Role as Co-Captain
In 2004, Becky Hammon's contributions to the New York Liberty extended beyond her playing abilities as she assumed the role of co-captain, further demonstrating her leadership qualities.
January 22, 2005: Hammon's Jersey Retired by Colorado State
On January 22, 2005, Colorado State University paid tribute to Becky Hammon's legacy by retiring her No. 25 jersey, a testament to her enduring impact on the university's basketball program.
August 16, 2005: Hammon Achieves 2,000-Point Milestone
On August 16, 2005, Becky Hammon celebrated a significant achievement in her WNBA career by surpassing the 2,000-point mark, solidifying her status as a prolific scorer.
January 2007: Hammon Takes Talents to Spain
In January 2007, Becky Hammon expanded her basketball horizons by playing for Rivas Futura in the Spanish League during the WNBA offseason, embracing opportunities to compete internationally.
April 4, 2007: Hammon Traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars
On April 4, 2007, Becky Hammon's WNBA journey took her to a new team when she was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars, where she would go on to achieve remarkable success.
2007: Hammon Joins the San Antonio Silver Stars
In 2007, Becky Hammon's WNBA career led her to the San Antonio Silver Stars, where she would leave a significant mark on the franchise.
2008: Hammon Helps Russia Win Bronze at Beijing Olympics
Becky Hammon played a key role in helping the Russian women's basketball team secure the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcasing her skills on the Olympic stage.
2008: Hammon Leads Silver Stars to WNBA Finals
Becky Hammon's leadership was on full display in 2008 as she guided the San Antonio Silver Stars to the WNBA Finals, demonstrating her ability to elevate her team's performance on the biggest stage.
2008: Hammon Represents Russia in the Olympics and Joins the San Antonio Silver Stars
In 2008, Becky Hammon, after becoming a naturalized Russian citizen, played for the Russian national team in the Olympics. In the same year, she also joined the San Antonio Silver Stars, showcasing her talents on an international stage.
2008: Hammon Joins Russian National Team
In 2008, after being passed over for the US national team, Becky Hammon made the significant decision to join the Russian national basketball team, a move that allowed her to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2009: Hammon Represents Russia at EuroBasket
In 2009, Becky Hammon continued to represent Russia on the international stage by competing in the EuroBasket tournament.
2009: Hammon Earns All-Star and All-WNBA Honors
Becky Hammon's exceptional performance in the 2009 WNBA season earned her well-deserved recognition, including being named an All-Star and a first-team All-WNBA selection, highlighting her status as one of the league's elite players.
2010: Hammon Competes in World Championship for Russia
Becky Hammon continued her commitment to the Russian national team in 2010 by participating in the FIBA World Championship for Women.
August 31, 2011: Hammon Reaches 5,000-Point Milestone
On August 31, 2011, Becky Hammon achieved another impressive milestone in her WNBA career by surpassing the 5,000-point mark, solidifying her place among the league's all-time leading scorers.
2012: Second Olympic Appearance for Hammon
Becky Hammon continued her dedication to representing Russia in basketball by competing in the 2012 Olympics.
2012: Hammon Plays for Russia at 2012 Olympics
In 2012, Becky Hammon's international basketball journey continued as she competed with the Russian national team at the Olympic Games.
July 13, 2013: Hammon Suffers ACL Injury but Explores Coaching Opportunities
On July 13, 2013, Becky Hammon faced another setback with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, but she used her rehabilitation time as an opportunity to explore coaching, attending San Antonio Spurs practices and meetings, foreshadowing her future career path.
August 5, 2014: Becky Hammon Hired as Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs
On August 5, 2014, Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history when she was hired by the San Antonio Spurs.
2014: Hammon Begins Coaching Career with the San Antonio Spurs
Becky Hammon transitioned from player to coach in 2014, joining the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach and embarking on a new chapter in her basketball journey.
2014: Hammon Retires from the WNBA
In 2014, Becky Hammon made the decision to retire from the WNBA, concluding an illustrious playing career marked by numerous accomplishments and a lasting impact on the league.
July 3, 2015: Becky Hammon Named Head Coach of Spurs' Summer League Team
On July 3, 2015, Becky Hammon achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in the NBA's Summer League.
July 20, 2015: Hammon Leads Spurs to Summer League Title
On July 20, 2015, Becky Hammon secured her first coaching victory as she guided the San Antonio Spurs to a Summer League championship title.
August 2, 2015: Hammon Inducted into the New York Liberty's Ring of Honor
On August 2, 2015, the New York Liberty honored Becky Hammon's contributions to the franchise by inducting her into their Ring of Honor, recognizing her significant role in the team's history and the growth of the WNBA.
2015: Hammon Breaks Barriers as Summer League Head Coach
In 2015, Becky Hammon continued to shatter glass ceilings by becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in the NBA Summer League, further solidifying her place as a trailblazer.
June 25, 2016: San Antonio Stars Retire Hammon's Jersey
On June 25, 2016, the San Antonio Stars paid tribute to Becky Hammon's legacy by retiring her No. 25 jersey, a testament to her remarkable impact on the franchise.
2016: Hammon Becomes First Female Coach in NBA All-Star Game
In 2016, Becky Hammon further etched her name in NBA history as she became the first woman to be a part of a coaching staff for the NBA All-Star Game.
June 2, 2017: Hammon Interviewed for Bucks General Manager Position
On June 2, 2017, Becky Hammon's potential for leadership within the NBA was recognized when she was interviewed for the General Manager position for the Milwaukee Bucks.
December 30, 2020: Hammon Makes History as Acting Head Coach in the NBA
Becky Hammon etched her name in basketball history on December 30, 2020, when she became the first woman to serve as an acting head coach during an NBA game. This groundbreaking moment occurred while she was an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
December 2021: Hammon Becomes Head Coach of Las Vegas Aces
In December 2021, Becky Hammon was appointed as the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, marking her transition to a head coaching role in the WNBA.
December 2021: Hammon Becomes Head Coach of the Las Vegas Aces
In December 2021, Becky Hammon's coaching career reached new heights as she was appointed head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, marking another historic milestone.
2021: Hammon a Finalist for Trail Blazers Head Coach Position
In 2021, Becky Hammon reached a significant milestone by becoming the first woman to be a finalist for an NBA head coaching position when she interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
2022: Hammon Leads Aces to WNBA Championship
In 2022, Becky Hammon led the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA championship, further solidifying her reputation as a highly successful coach.
2022: Hammon Advocates for Brittney Griner's Release
In 2022, following the detainment of fellow WNBA player Brittney Griner in Russia, Becky Hammon joined the chorus of athletes and advocates calling for Griner's release.
August 12, 2023: Hammon Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
On August 12, 2023, Becky Hammon's remarkable contributions to basketball were forever enshrined when she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to her lasting legacy.
2023: Aces Repeat as WNBA Champions Under Hammon
In 2023, Becky Hammon etched her name in WNBA history when she coached the Las Vegas Aces to their second consecutive championship, a feat that hadn't been accomplished in two decades.