Player at the Center of WNBA’s Aces Probe Speaks Out After Becky Hammon’s Suspension

The Las Vegas coach violated the ‘Respect in the Workplace’ policy in relation to Dearica Hamby’s pregnancy.

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby spoke for the first time Tuesday since her former coach Becky Hammon was suspended earlier that day following a WNBA investigation that began after Hamby alleged misconduct while a part of the Aces organization. The league issued Hammon a two-game suspension, and Las Vegas was stripped of its 2025 first-round draft pick. 

“I don’t really have much to say about it,” Hamby said. “I kind of want to move forward and focus on where I am today. I’m healthy, I’m happy, my son is healthy and I’m gonna be playing basketball this season. Just want to focus on moving forward, this part of it is over and then me and the union will continue to explore my options.” 

Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Dearica Hamby shares her thoughts on the WNBA’s investigation into her allegations of workplace misconduct during her recent pregnancy against Las Vegas Aces. Hamby’s motivation to play this season are her two children. Hamby’s 1st game is May 19. pic.twitter.com/nj4jdduAC5

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 16, 2023

The two-time All-Star said the Aces lied to her regarding her contract extension in the aftermath of the team’s January trade of Hamby to the Sparks. She also said that the Aces were moving on from her because she became pregnant with her second child, and an investigation was launched. She gave birth to her son in March.

“I have had my character and work ethic attacked,” Hamby wrote in January. “I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that were not followed through on. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. This is false. I was told that I was a ‘question mark’ and that it was said that I said I would ‘get pregnant again’ and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team. I was told that ‘I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain because no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years.’”

The WNBA announced its findings Tuesday, saying, “The team violation involved promises of impermissible benefits in connection with negotiations for an extension of then Aces player Dearica Hamby’s player contract. The Respect in the Workplace violation was related to comments made by Hammon to Hamby in connection with Hamby’s recent pregnancy.”