Spurs hire Becky Hammon as first female NBA assistant coach

The San Antonio Spurs have hired WNBA player Becky Hammon as an assistant coach. Hammon, who plays with the San Antonio Stars, recently announced that she will be retiring at the end of this season.

The San Antonio Spurs have hired WNBA player Becky Hammon as an assistant coach, the team announced Tuesday. Hammon becomes the first female hired as an NBA assistant coach.

Lisa Boyer served as a volunteer assistant on the Cleveland Cavaliers' coaching staff in 2001-02 but didn't sit on the bench during games or travel with the team. Natalie Nakase recently served as the Los Angeles Clippers assistant video coordinator during Summer League.

Hammon, who plays with the San Antonio Stars, recently announced that she will be retiring at the end of this season. 

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich invited Hammon to attend his team's practices last summer while she was recovering from knee surgery. She also attended film sessions and sat behind the bench for several games last season.

“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” said Popovich. “Having observed her working with our team this past season, I’m confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.”

Hammon was named one of the Top 15 WNBA Players of All Time in 2011. -- Molly Geary