History of Becky Hammon in Timeline

Becky Hammon is a Russian-American professional basketball coach, currently head coach of the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), and former NBA assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. A decorated player, she was a three-time All-American at Colorado State. She played in the WNBA for the San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty, and also played internationally. Notably, Hammon became a naturalized Russian citizen in 2008 and represented Russia in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

March 11, 1977: Rebecca Lynn Hammon Born

On March 11, 1977, Rebecca Lynn Hammon was born. She is a Russian-American professional basketball coach and former player.

1995: Graduated High School

In 1995, Becky Hammon graduated from Stevens High School, having been voted female class athlete by her graduating class. She was also named South Dakota Player of the Year.

1998: All-American and Colorado Sportswoman of the Year

In 1998, Becky Hammon was named an All-American three times and Colorado Sportswoman of the Year for her prolific scoring for the Colorado State Rams.

1998: William Jones Cup

In 1998, Becky Hammon was named to the team representing the United States at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team won the gold medal.

May 12, 1999: Signed to the WNBA

On May 12, 1999, Becky Hammon was signed to the WNBA and joined the New York Liberty.

1999: Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award

In 1999, Becky Hammon received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the best senior player under 5 ft 8 in.

2001: Lisa Boyer with Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2001, Lisa Boyer worked as a volunteer assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Lucas.

2003: Starting Point Guard for the Liberty

After the 2003 season, Becky Hammon took over for Teresa Weatherspoon as the Liberty's starting point guard.

2003: Led the NWBL in scoring

In 2003, during her first season with the Tennessee Fury of the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL), Becky Hammon led the league in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game.

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

On November 12, 2004, Becky Hammon was inducted into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame.

2004: Signed with the Colorado Chill

In 2004, Becky Hammon signed with the Colorado Chill, a new team in the NWBL, but played in only two games due to an injury.

2004: Co-captain for the Liberty

In 2004, Becky Hammon, along with Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson, became one of the team's co-captains for the New York Liberty.

January 22, 2005: Colorado State Jersey Retired

On January 22, 2005, Becky Hammon's number 25 Colorado State jersey was retired at Moby Arena.

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

On August 16, 2005, Becky Hammon scored her 2,000th WNBA career point.

January 2007: Played in Spanish League

In January 2007, Becky Hammon played in the Spanish League with Rivas Futura during her WNBA "off season".

April 4, 2007: Traded to San Antonio Silver Stars

On April 4, 2007, Becky Hammon was traded to the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars.

2007: Played for the Aces

In 2007, Becky Hammon played for the Aces when the team played in San Antonio and was known as the Stars.

2008: Became a Naturalized Russian Citizen

In 2008, Becky Hammon became a naturalized Russian citizen and represented Russia in the Olympics.

2008: Led the Silver Stars to the WNBA Finals

In 2008, Becky Hammon led the San Antonio Silver Stars to a WNBA best record of 24-10 and to the 2008 WNBA Finals where they were defeated by the Detroit Shock.

2008: Won Bronze Medal at the Olympics

In 2008, Becky Hammon played in the Olympics for Russia and helped the team win the bronze medal by scoring 22 points against China.

2008: Controversy Over Russian Citizenship

In 2008, Becky Hammon's decision to gain naturalized Russian citizenship to play for the Russian national team in the Beijing Summer Olympics was controversial in American basketball, with some branding her an American traitor.

2008: Claimed Roster Slot on Russian National Team

In 2008, after learning that she would not be invited to try out for the U.S. national team, Becky Hammon announced she would try to claim a roster slot on the Russian national team in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and became a Russian citizen.

2009: Played for Russia at EuroBasket 2009

In 2009, Becky Hammon played for Russia at the EuroBasket tournament.

2009: Career High Averages

In the 2009 WNBA season, Becky Hammon averaged a career-high 19.5 ppg and 5.0 apg, and was also an All-Star as well as a first-team All-WNBA selection.

2010: Played for Russia at the World Championship

In 2010, Becky Hammon played for Russia at the World Championship.

August 31, 2011: Scored 5,000th point

On August 31, 2011, Becky Hammon became the seventh player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points.

2012: Played for Russia at the 2012 Olympics

In 2012, Becky Hammon played for Russia at the 2012 Olympics.

2012: Represented Russia in the Olympics

In 2012, Becky Hammon represented the Russian national team in the Olympics.

July 13, 2013: Tore ACL

On July 13, 2013, Becky Hammon tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

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

On August 5, 2014, Becky Hammon was hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first Russian NBA coach in NBA history, as well as the second female coach.

2014: Retired from the WNBA

In 2014, Becky Hammon retired from the WNBA after a successful career. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star.

2014: Hired as Assistant Coach by San Antonio Spurs

In 2014, Becky Hammon was hired by the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach.

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

On July 3, 2015, Becky Hammon became the first Russian and the first female head coach in the NBA's Summer League when the Spurs announced she would coach their summer league team.

July 20, 2015: Won Las Vegas Summer League Title

On July 20, 2015, Becky Hammon led the Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title, becoming the first Russian and first female NBA head coach to win a Summer League title.

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

On August 2, 2015, Becky Hammon was inducted into the Ring of Honor during halftime of the game between the New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm.

2015: Summer League Head Coach

In 2015, Becky Hammon served as the San Antonio Spurs' Summer League head coach, becoming the first Russian and the first woman to hold that position.

2015: Relationship with Brenda Milano

Since 2015, Becky Hammon has been in a relationship with Brenda Milano, with whom she has two sons.

June 25, 2016: Jersey Retired by San Antonio Stars

On June 25, 2016, the San Antonio Stars retired Becky Hammon's No. 25 jersey prior to the Atlanta Dream game.

2016: Part of All-Star Coaching Staff

In 2016, Becky Hammon became the first Russian and first woman to be part of an NBA All-Star coaching staff.

June 2, 2017: Interviewed for Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Position

On June 2, 2017, Becky Hammon was interviewed for the position of general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

December 30, 2020: First Female Acting Head Coach in NBA History

On December 30, 2020, Becky Hammon became the first Russian and the first female acting head coach in NBA history after Gregg Popovich was ejected during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

December 2021: Hired as Head Coach by Las Vegas Aces

In December 2021, Becky Hammon was hired by the Las Vegas Aces to be their head coach.

2021: Finalist for NBA Head Coaching Position

In 2021, Becky Hammon was the first Russian and first woman to be a finalist for an NBA head coaching position when she interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers.

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

On December 31, 2021, Becky Hammon was hired as the head coach for the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the first Russian coach in WNBA history.

August 2022: Hamby informs the Aces of pregnancy

In August 2022, Dearica Hamby informed Becky Hammon and the Aces about her pregnancy, which she alleges led to discrimination and mistreatment.

2022: Called for the Release of Brittney Griner

In 2022, Becky Hammon joined other athletes to call for the release of Brittney Griner, who was detained in Russia due to alleged drug possession.

2022: Won the 2022 WNBA Finals

In 2022, Becky Hammon's Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA Finals and she became the first rookie head coach to win the WNBA title.

January 2023: Hamby Traded to Los Angeles Sparks

In January 2023, Dearica Hamby was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, a move she alleges was a result of informing Becky Hammon and the Aces about her pregnancy.

May 2023: Suspension from the WNBA

In May 2023, Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension from the WNBA for violating the league's 'respect in the workplace' policies in her treatment of former Aces player Dearica Hamby.

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

On August 12, 2023, Becky Hammon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

September 2023: Hamby files discrimination complaint

In September 2023, Dearica Hamby filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after criticizing the WNBA's investigation for not speaking with other Aces players and for not dispensing adequate punishment to Becky Hammon or the team.

December 2023: World Series of Poker Paradise

In December 2023, Becky Hammon attended the inaugural World Series of Poker Paradise event, participating in the $5 million guaranteed $1,650 Mystery Millions tournament.

2023: Hammon responds to allegations of mistreatment

In 2023, Becky Hammon addressed the allegations of mistreatment towards Dearica Hamby, stating she had never had an HR complaint in her 25 years in the WNBA or NBA. She also clarified that the Aces did not consider trading Hamby until Atlanta's inquiry in January 2023, denying bullying and emphasizing the "over-the-top" care provided to Hamby.

2023: Las Vegas Aces Repeat as Champions

In 2023, the Las Vegas Aces repeated as WNBA champions, with Becky Hammon becoming the first coach to win back-to-back WNBA titles in 20 years.

2024: Hamby files federal lawsuit against WNBA and Aces

On August 12, 2024, Dearica Hamby filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces, alleging that Becky Hammon questioned her commitment, inquired about her pregnancy plans, and implied she violated her contract by becoming pregnant.