San Antonio Stars

November 23, 2024

Becky Hammon (center), first woman to coach an NBA Summer League team, also became the first woman to win an NBA Summer League championship.

Gregg Popovich Dishes on Spurs Assistant Coach Becky Hammon [VIDEO]

January 17, 2018

San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich sings Becky Hammon’s praises

San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich, also known as the "Truth Teller," will let reporters know when they have asked a stupid question. However, when asked about Becky Hammon, Popovich was more than happy to spill the tea about Rebecca "Becky" Hammon, an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs and the first woman to become a "fulltime" assistant coach in the NBA.

“She’s been fantastic,” Popovich said. “She’s knowledgeable, confident. She’s got a great attitude, she’s got gravitas and everybody respects her right off the bat. She has her part scouting teams, addressing teams, doing what all the other assistants do. She’s for real.”

Now, you know Popovich doesn’t mince any words, so if he says Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon is for real, then she is definitely the real deal. But if you know anything about Beck Hammon’s resume, then you already knew that. And, if you don’t know Hammon, she has a New York City connection in that she played for the New York Liberty (WNBA) from 1999-2006. She later played for the San Antonio Stars from 2007 – 2014, and like most women in the WNBA, she played for a multitude of foreign teams.

On August 5, 2014, Hammon was hired by the Spurs as an assistant coach, becoming the second female assistant coach in NBA history but the first full-time assistant coach. This also makes her the first full-time female assistant coach in any of the four major professional sports in North America. If that wasn’t enough, in summer 2015, Hammon became the first woman to coach an NBA Summer League team and that same summer, she became the first woman coach to win an NBA Summer League championship.

If you are reading between the lines, then you can surmise that at least during the years Hammon played for the San Antonio Stars, the Spurs’ organization could see up-close that Hammon is the real deal.

UCONN Takes Top 3 Spots in 2016 WNBA Draft; NY Liberty selects Adut Bulgak

April 19, 2016

Looking Ahead at WNBA’s 20th Year: new president Lisa Borders, Diana Taurasi returns, and it’s the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings

Last week was a historic week for the world of sports. The Golden State Warriors set the best record in NBA history, Kobe Bryant dropped 60 points in his final career game and the 20th WNBA Draft took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the third consecutive year. Thirty-six of the nation’s best women collegiate athletes were selected into the WNBA on Thursday night. For the first time in the history of the WNBA Draft, the top three selections all came from the same school. The Huskies from the University of Connecticut took the top three spots and dominated the first round of the draft just like they dominated the NCCA Championship earlier this year.

As expected, Breanna Stewart was selected first overall by the Seattle Storm, this is the second year that the Storm has had the number one pick. Expectations are set high for the 6’4 forward, she is a 4-time NCAA champion, 3-time player of the year and she is the only player to be named the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player four years in a row. The Storm has not won a championship since 2010, hopefully, Stewart can keep her championship streak going at the professional level. The No.2 pick went to the San Antonio Stars, who selected Texas native, Moriah Jefferson. The Huskie also has 4 championship titles under her belt and was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jefferson set a school record with a total of 659 career assist not to mention she is a 46% 3-point-shooter. Her versatility on the court is just what the Stars need this season.

It was a big night for the Connecticut Sun, who went home with two consecutive first round picks. Coming in at No.3 was Morgan Tuck from UConn. Aside from becoming a champion for the fourth time in her career, Tuck finished her final year with an assist-turnover ratio of 2.1/1, which was the second-best in the league. The No.4 selection, also for the Connecticut Sun, was Rachel Banham from the University of Minnesota. She is most remembered for her 60-point game earlier in the season, a performance that was recognized and duplicated by NBA star Kobe Bryant. Banham was named the 2016 BIG 10 player of the year and has set the all-time scoring record with 3,093 career points. The Dallas Wings, formerly known as the Tulsa Shock had the No.5 pick and they selected Aerial Powers from Michigan State. Powers is a 3-time first team All-American and set a school record with 47 career double-doubles.

The Los Angeles Sparks selected Jonquel Jones of George Washington as the No.6 overall draft pick, Jones is the only player to average a double-double for 3 consecutive seasons. At No.7, the Washington Mystics selected Kahleah Cooper of Rutgers University. Cooper sits at No.3 on Rutgers all-time scoring list behind, Cappie Pondexter and Sue Wicks. Courtney Williams of the University of Southern Florida was selected 8th overall by the Phoneix Mercury. The Indiana Fever selected Tiffany Mitchell as the 9th overall pick. Mitchell played for the University of Southern California and led her team with 85 assists this season. The 10th overall selection went to the Chicago Sky who picked Imani Boyette. Boyette played for Texas State and was named the BIG 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Boyette is the daughter of WNBA legend Pamela McGee, they are the first mother-daughter duo to have played for the league. The Atlanta Dream selected Bria Holmes of West Virginia 11th overall. The New York Liberty wrapped up the first round selecting Adut Bulgak 12th overall. Bulgak is a 6’4 center out of Florida State and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2015.

Fans have a lot to look forward to this season as Diana Taurasi will make her return to the Phoenix Mercury, newly acquired WNBA president Lisa Borders will participate in her first active season and most importantly this will be the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings. The WNBA’s historic 20th anniversary season will kick off on May 14th.