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Becky Hammonis reportedly returning to the WNBA with a bang!
The San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, 44, is nearing a deal to become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, per multiple reports.
The reported deal would make Hammon the highest-paid coach in the league, according toESPN.
Additionally,The Athleticsays the expected 5-year contract would be “record-setting” if agreed upon.
Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images
One year ago, Hammon became thefirst woman to coach an NBA teamduring a regular-season game after head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected from their Dec. 30 game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the game, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel told reporters that he believed Hammon was “going to be a great coach one day.” Lakers starLeBron Jamesechoed that sentiment during his own postgame press conference.
“Obviously she’s been paying her dues over the last few years and Coach Pop has given her the opportunity,” said James, 37. “It’s a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls, barking out sets. She’s very passionate about the game. Congrats to her and congrats for our league.”
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Back in April, Hammon detailed her coaching aspirations in an interview withHoda KotbonToday. When asked if she believes it is “past time” for the NBA to hire a female head coach, Hammon said yes.
“Of course,” she told Kotb, 56. “I mean, this ball is never moving fast enough, in my opinion.”
Hammon continued: “People don’t like doing something new and different. It’s uncomfortable. It takes massive amount of risk. Somebody’s going to have to take a chance.”
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Last November, Hammon told PEOPLE that she does not take breaking barriers lightly. “It’s a torch that I carry very seriously,” she said at the time.
“It’s something that I value and I know the weight of the responsibility,” Hammon added. “I know I got a lot of little eyes on me. I never take it lightly. And that’s why the mountains and the challenges in front of me are just even that much greater.”
source: people.com
