Becky Hammon First Woman To Act As NBA Head Coach

Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon made history on Wednesday, becoming the first woman to act as a head coach in the NBA.

Becky Hammon took over after Greg Popovich’s first half ejection during  San Antonio’s 121 – 107 loss to the Lakers.

Postgame, both Frank Vogel and Greg Popovich backed her to eventually become an NBA head coach in her own right.

LeBron James described it as a ‘beautiful thing’ to hear her voice on the sidelines.

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Greg Popovich was ejected after a technical foul for arguing with the referee over a no-call. He simply pointed towards Hammon, and history was made.

“Obviously, it’s a big deal,” Becky Hammon said. 

“It’s a substantial moment. I’ve been a part of this organization, I got traded here in 2007, so I’ve been in San Antonio and part of the Spurs and sports organization with the Stars and everything for 13 years. So I have a lot of time invested, and they have a lot of time invested in me, in building me and getting me better.”

In her seventh season on the Spurs coaching staff, Hammon is a decorated WNBA legend. She was named a WNBA All-Star six times while playing for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Silver Stars. 

“The guys responded great. I thought we gave ourselves some chances. We battled back multiple times,” Hammon said. 

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“I think it was business as usual. They’re used to hearing my voice in practice.”

“She’s been putting in the work, and any time you put in the work you get rewarded with opportunities,” James said. 

“Tonight was a case where she got to step in and show her work, show her talents and her love for the game, and obviously, what she did as a player, first of all, we all know that. So her mind was able to transfer to our league, and she’s been great ever since she got in.”