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Becky Hammon is a trailblazer, famously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. Her most notable accomplishments came after her WNBA career, such as being the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history with the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon also earned Coach of the Year honors in her first season with the Aces, prioritizing winning throughout her career.
In 2015, she made history again as the first female head coach in the NBA Summer League, winning the championship. Leading the Aces in 2022, she became the first rookie coach to secure a WNBA championship, and repeated the feat in the following season.
During her 16-season WNBA career split between the New York Liberty and San Antonio Silver Stars, Hammon left a lasting impact on the court. Recognizing her achievements, the league named her one of the top 15 players of all time in 2011 and one of the top 25 players of all time in 2021.
Here are five standout moments from Hammon’s WNBA playing career:
5. First All-Star appearance
Despite going undrafted after a stellar senior year at Colorado State, Hammon made the Liberty roster in 1999. Her first All-Star nod came in 2003, showcasing her importance to the team.
4. 5,000 points
On August 31, 2011, Hammon became the seventh player to reach 5,000 career points in a game against the Connecticut Sun. She retired with 5,841 career points, ranking third in the Aces’ all-time scoring list.
3. Assists leader
In the 2007 season, Hammon led the league with 5.0 assists per game, showcasing her playmaking skills and helping her team achieve success.
2. 3-point contest champion
Adding to her accolades, Hammon won the All-Star 3-point contest in 2009, outshooting other top players in the competition.
1. Postseason heroics
Despite reaching the WNBA Finals multiple times, Hammon’s standout moment came in a playoff game in 2004 with the Liberty, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
Contact Callie Lawson-Freeman at clawsonfreeman@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.
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