Becky Hammon, a Russian-American professional head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, grew up in an athletic household, and her father groomed her to be a basketball player from a young age.
As a child, she was already dribbling a basketball and playing Nerf ball with his older brother, Matt Hammon.
Becky began playing basketball at Stevens High School and joined the Colorado State Rams, where she was named the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year.
Although she was undrafted in the 1999 WNBA draft, she signed with the WNBA on May 12 and joined the New York Liberty. She was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars on April 4, 2007.
She eventually retired from her professional playing career as a six-time WNBA All-Star in 2014 and was inducted into the Ring of Honor on August 2, 2015.
Afterward, Becky became the first Russian NBA coach in NBA history as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs on August 5, 2014.
On December 31, 2021, she joined the Las Vegas Aces as the head coach and led the team to win the 2022 WNBA Finals in her first year at the helm.
Moreover, the Aces repeated as 2023 WNBA champions, making her the first coach to win back-to-back WNBA titles in 20 years.
I am excited to return to the WNBA and grateful for Mark Devis and Nikki Fargas having a vision for me to lead the Aces. This is where I come from, and I wouldn’t be me without the W. I’m thrilled to be able to give back and lead this next group of women.
Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon’s Parents Fueled Her Basketball Destiny
Rebecca Lynn Hammon, the daughter of Martin and Bev Hammon, was born on March 11, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Her parents raised her in a close-knit family with her brother, Matt, and sister, Gina.
Becky grew up in a family that nurtured her love for the game from an early age.
Her parents played a crucial role in shaping her career, instilling in her the basketball skills and also the values that define her.
Martin Hammon was a longtime basketball coach and high school principal. His influence on her career was immense. He once joked that Becky “came out of the womb loving basketball.”
He was a mentor and motivator, teaching her the fundamentals of the game and pushing her to excel. Under his guidance, Becky developed the discipline and work ethic that would later make her a WNBA star and coach.
Meanwhile, Bev came from a Russian heritage and brought a strong sense of resilience and compassion to the family.
She was a nurse and taught the head coach about the vital life lessons of perseverance, independence, and living life on one’s terms.
Despite their pivotal role in her life, Martin and Bev were notably absent when Becky was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
She talked about their whereabouts during her speech. Their impact on her journey was undeniable, even though they missed the ceremony.
Mom. Dad. You’re not here tonight. They’re in Africa, doing God knows what. Hunting and killing animals, taking pictures, and doing all sorts of stuff.
Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon Mourns The Loss Of Her Beloved Grandmother In 2024
Becky Hammon shared a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother, who passed away in 2024.
In an emotional social media post, she reflected on the profound impact her grandmother had on her life, family, and community.
Becky began, recalling how she had just seen her grandmother in September, who had baked her famous cupcakes for Hammon’s team, a tradition spanning 25 years.
She described her grandmother as a woman of unwavering kindness, love, and generosity. She embodied the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated.
Becky’s grandmother touched the lives of both young and old, as evidenced by the outpouring of emotion at her funeral.
The Aces’ head coach experienced strong emotions that deepened the concept of legacy upon seeing the name “Hammon” engraved on the tombstone.
L: Love
Becky Hammon
E: Excellence/Educated/Example (too many words I know, but ask my players, I might draw 3-4 plays in one timeout and they like 🤯🤦🏽♀️😳🤬😵💫🤷🏽♀️👎🏼)
G: Gentle
A: Action: my grandparents SHOWED up!! And were the funnest!!
C: Character, cupcakes and cookies
Y: Young Love: she married her HS sweetheart and I never saw a night they didn’t give each other a kiss before the other went to bed!! Over 75 years together… at the beginning at the end, and every moment in between Grandma- it always started with LOVE first and last!!
Becky’s tribute painted a picture of a remarkable woman whose love and strength shaped generations.
She finds comfort in knowing her grandmother is at peace and that her legacy of love lives on. Rest in power, Grandma Hammon.
In case You Didn’t know
- Becky Hammon married Brenda Milano, and they have two children, Cayden and Samuel.
- She is a poker player in the WNBA off-season and attended the inaugural World Series of Poker Paradise event in December 2023.
- She was shown in Marie Claire magazine’s “The 8 Greatest Moments for Women in Sports.”
- Her net worth is estimated to be $500,000, and she earns approximately $200,000 annually.
