Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon believes it’s only a matter of time before a woman takes the reins of an NBA team — insisting there’s “no good reason” it hasn’t already happened.
Her remarks come days after South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she doesn’t think she’ll see a female NBA head coach in her lifetime. Hammon disagrees, telling CNN Sport that the game — and the world — are changing fast.
“I think it could happen in our lifetime,” Hammon said. “There’s no real reason why it hasn’t happened already. There are qualified women out there — it’s just about getting that opportunity.”
From Player to Pioneer
A six-time WNBA All-Star and now a three-time WNBA champion coach, Hammon’s résumé makes her one of the most accomplished figures in basketball. She became the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history when she joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, even briefly leading the team after Gregg Popovich’s ejection — another first for women in the league.
Hammon has since interviewed for several NBA head coaching jobs, but she’s thriving where she is. Under her leadership, the Aces have built a dynasty, clinching their third championship in four years with a 97–86 Finals sweep over the Phoenix Mercury.
‘It Would Take a Lot to Pull Me Away’
Now 48, Hammon admits she’s deeply rooted in Las Vegas’ success and culture.
“I love winning. I love this city and my bosses,” she said. “I’ll take calls, but it would take a whole lot to pull me from here.”
Still, Hammon stands by the belief that gender shouldn’t define leadership.
“If men can lead women, there’s no reason women can’t lead men. Basketball is basketball — players follow great leaders, period.”
Building a Legacy in Las Vegas
Hammon calls this year’s championship “the hardest one yet,” after the Aces overcame a rocky start and surged to finish with 16 straight regular-season wins. Fans and analysts are calling the Aces a modern dynasty — a label Hammon humbly says the team is still “flirting with.”
“A dynasty is built on culture, consistency, and the right people working together,” she said. “We’ve gone up the mountain, down the mountain, and back up again — and it feels really good.”
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