Spurs hire Becky Hammon as first ever female NBA assistant coach

The San Antonio Spurs made history on Tuesday by announcing that they have hired Becky Hammon as an assistant coach for the 2014-2015 season. Hammon, who is currently in her 16th year with the WNBA’s San Antonio Stars, will retire as a player at the end of the season and join Gregg Popovich’s staff.

“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” Popovich said in an NBA.com statement. “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 July 2011. She ranks seventh in WNBA history with 5,809 points, fourth with 1,687 assists and sixth in games played with 445. The six-time WNBA All-Star is the Stars all-time leader in assists with 1,112 and three-point field goals with 493.

Hammon’s basketball resume speaks for itself. Gregg Popovich is not the type of coach who would make an addition to his staff for publicity, so you know Hammon must be regarded as a fantastic basketball mind. Her hire could help open a door that has long been closed.