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Hammon's selection to represent Russia in the 2008 Olympics caused a stir in USA basketball, but it doesn't tell the full story of the former pro turned coach. Pulse Sports explores her playing and coaching career.
By her own admission, nothing in life has been easy for Rebecca Lynn Hammon, whose illustrious playing career was followed by a move into coaching. Becky Hammon is the head coach of the Las Vegas Ice of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), having previously served as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Hammon, a former guard, was a six-time WNBA All-Star, was twice named to the All-WNBA First Team and twice named to the All-WNBA Second Team before his retirement.
Becky Hammon, who came into the picture in the 2000s, had a respectable playing career. (Imago/Avalon Red)
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Where is Becky Hammon from?
Although she is Russian-American, Becky Hammon was born in Rapid City, the second most populous city in South Dakota, in North Central America.
How old is Becky Hammon?
Becky Hammon was born on March 11, 1977, and on her last birthday, she turned 47 years old.
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Becky Hammon height and weight
Becky Hammon's height is 5 feet 6 inches and 1.68 meters. The 47-year-old's listed weight is 136 pounds. In kilograms it is 62 kg.
Becky's parents and siblings are important
The former basketball pro turned coach was born to Marty Hammon and Bev Hammon. Becky Hammon's father was a basketball coach for several decades, and he previously joked that his daughter “came out of the womb loving basketball.”
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Bev and Marty Hammon, parents of Becky Hammon, in front of their home in Rapid City (Christina Parker)
She has two siblings, Jenna Hammon and Matt Hammon.
Becky Hammon's early life and education
Despite her immediate love for the sport, Becky Hammon didn't play competitively until she was eight years old. While the co-educational YMCA was composed mostly of boys on the teams, Becky's parents raised her up two age groups because she was much better than her peers. This was usually met with disapproval by league officials until they saw her play and recognized her talent.
She played basketball at Stevens High School in South Dakota, and was named Miss South Dakota Basketball as a junior and South Dakota Player of the Year her senior year.
Despite her promise, Becky's physique and effortless mobility meant she did not catch the attention of college recruiters until a Colorado State assistant discovered her talent, leading her to join the Colorado State Rams.
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Becky Hammon, at times, was considered too young (Imago/ZUMA Wire)
Her prolific goals have seen her become a three-time All-American — awarded to amateur athletes considered excellent in their sport — as well as Colorado Sportswoman of the Year.
Hammon's exploits at Colorado State in the mid-to-late 1990s saw him set records – points (2,740), points per game (21.92), field goals made, free throws made (539), three-point field goals made (365). and aid (538).
The 47-year-old's record-breaking result led to her induction into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame in November 2004, and her No. 25 Colorado State jersey was retired in January 2005.
Becky Hammon of Tennessee
While representing the New York Liberty in the WNBA, Becky Hammon spent an offseason with the Tennessee Fury in 2003 in the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL). According to Knox News, Hammon led the NWBL in scoring with an average of 20.6 points per game.
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When did Becky Hammon retire?
Despite not being selected in the 1999 WNBA Draft, Becky Hammon had a successful career before her 2014 retirement.
Hammon was with the San Antonio Stars and was honored with the Kim Perot Sportsmanship Award in 2014, which is given to a player who “exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the field – ethical conduct, fair play and integrity.”
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Why did Becky Hammon become a Russian citizen?
Becky Hammon is a naturalized citizen of Russia, who obtained it in 2007. Hammon has already represented CSKA Moscow during the WNBA season, but her dual citizenship has sparked controversy.
It all happened after the former goalkeeper was left out of the group of 23 players invited to the US women's national team for the 2008 Olympics, leaving her “devastated” according to her mother's tale. The choice to represent Russia undoubtedly drew condemnation, with then-coach Anne Donovan questioning Hammon's patriotism.
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American coach Anne Donovan criticized Becky Hammon for representing Russia in the 2008 Olympics (Jessica Hale/AP)
Hammon won a bronze medal with Russia at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, an accomplishment the former goalkeeper considers among the best of her career. She also played when Russia again reached the semi-finals four years later in London but were eliminated by France and beat Australia in the bronze medal match.
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Becky Hammon poses with the bronze medal she won with her Russian teammates at the 2008 Olympics (Getty)
Who is Becky Hammon's wife?
Although people believe that Becky Hammon and Brenda Milano are married, the couple prefers to keep their relationship a mystery and is reluctant to make public statements, even if the couple reportedly met in 2010 and started a relationship five years later.
Despite their secret relationship, they are still together and have two children, Kayden and Samuel. Like her husband, Brenda Milano is a former basketball player turned coach. Milano was born and raised in Boonton, New Jersey, and grew up in a traditional Christian home.
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Becky Hammon with her reported partner, Brenda Milano, and two children, Kayden and Samuel (Journal Bharat)
Becky Hammon NBA
Having spoken about her interest in coaching, it was no surprise that Becky Hammon would do so after her playing career.
Before taking over as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, Hammon became an assistant coach with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs in 2014, making her the first-ever Russian coach in NBA history before leading the franchise as head coach in Summer League. In 2015 – the first woman to receive this honor.
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Becky Hammon was hired as an assistant coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs in 2014. (Imago/Icon Sportswire)
The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist made an impression on long-serving Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who praised her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills.
In December 2020, Hammon replaced Popovich Courtside after the long-serving coach was fired in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2020, making her the first Russian and first female head coach in NBA history.
She interviewed for a coaching position with the Portland Trail Blazers the following year, making her the first woman to approach a head coach position in the NBA, but ultimately lost out to Chauncey Billups.
She became the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in December 2021, leading the franchise to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023.
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Becky Hammon won back-to-back Women's National Basketball Association titles with the Las Vegas Aces (Imago/Sports Press Photo)
What is Becky Hammon's salary?
Becky Hammon was the highest-paid coach in the WNBA before Nate Tibbetts was hired by the Phoenix Mercury. The 47-year-old reportedly earns $1 million per season at the helm of the Las Vegas Aces.
Becky Hammon on Instagram
The two-time WNBA champion as a coach is on Instagram, and the @officialbeckyhammon account had 195,000 followers at the time of writing. Becky Hammon has 441 posts on the photo and video sharing social media service.
Becky Hammon on Twitter
Although she does not post frequently, Becky Hammon has an account on X, formerly Twitter. can be found @BeckyHamon He has 87,900 followers.
