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Liberty Legend Becky Hammon Earns Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
Becky Hammon's well-traveled professional basketball career began in Manhattan. It has since established an eternal residency in Springfield.
Hammon is one of a dozen newcomers to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, part of the 2023 class unveiled on Saturday at the NCAA Men's Final Four in Houston. Hammon began her professional playing career with the New York Liberty, playing seven seasons at Madison Square Garden.
In New York, Hammon originally served as a backup to star point guard Teresa Weatherspoon upon joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 1999. She became a fan favorite for her efforts off the bench in her first four seasons. Hammon established herself as an outside threat early on, ranking in the WNBA's top ten in successful triples in 2000 and 2002, duplicating that feat on seven other occasions (leading the league in 2012). Her breakout campaign came in 2003, when she earned her first All-Star nomination after averaging 14.7 points in 11 appearances before her season was cut short due to a knee injury.
Upon Weatherspoon's departure in 2004, Hammon became a staple in the Liberty's starting lineup and became one of the Liberty's captains alongside Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson. Over the next three seasons, she'd average 14 points and 4.2 assists and reach two more All-Star Games as well as the All-WNBA Second Team after the 2005 season.
Hammon was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars and made a major impact on both the city and the franchise that followed in the years to come: over eight more seasons, she'd average 15.6 points and 5.1 assists, leading the Association in the latter category's total in 2007. For efforts in her WNBA career, Hammon was named to the Association's 15th, 20th, and 25th anniversary teams. She went out in style in 2014, averaging 8.3 points and sinking all 35 of her free throw attempts. In addition to her WNBA endeavors, Hammon also repped several international squads in Spain and Russia and guided the latter country's national team to a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The Liberty inducted her into their "Ring of Honor" in 2015 while the Stars retired her number the year after.
In more recent times, Hammon has become well-known for her forays into coaching. Following her retirement in 2014, she was invited to serve on the staff of fellow 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Gregg Popovich. Her involvement with the San Antonio Spurs made her just the second female to serve on an NBA coaching staff, joining Lisa Boyer. Hammon earned positive reviews for her coaching performance and later led the Spurs to an NBA Summer League title in 2015.
Hammon perhaps now ironically stands as one of the Liberty's biggest obstacles to a WNBA title as they've made several major moves to earn a "superteam" designation. While reportedly pursued by several NBA teams (including the Milwaukee Bucks, who interviewed Hammon for general manager), Hammon joined up with the Las Vegas Aces, the relocated identity of the Silver Stars, last season. Working with a stacked group of her own (including two-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson), Hammon earned a 26-10 record in her first year at the helm and guided the Aces franchise to its first championship.
Popovich won't be the only familiar face inducted into the Hall of Fame, as they're joined by fellow San Antonio alumni Pau Gasol and Tony Parker. Other NBA legends on their way to Springfield include Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade,
Hammon's next shot against her original WNBA squad lands on June 29, when the Liberty visit Las Vegas for the first of four meetings.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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