Spurs assistant Becky Hammon made history in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers, becoming the first female to coach an NBA team. It happened after head coach Gregg Popovich got ejected.
But Hammon was mostly focused on trying to win the game.
“Obviously, it’s a big deal,” Hammon said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “It’s a substantial moment. I’ve been a part of this organization, I got traded here (as a WNBA player) in 2007, so I’ve been in San Antonio and part of the Spurs and sports organization with the Stars and everything for 13 years. So I have a lot of time invested, and they have a lot of time invested in me, in building me and getting me better.”
While the Spurs couldn’t get past the defending champs, falling 121-107, the players said they were excited to get the opportunity to play for her.
“Any player who knows the history of women’s basketball knows what she meant to the sport,” Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said. “You don’t think twice about it. She’s one of us. When she speaks, we are all ears.”
Hammon has interviewed for several coaching jobs over the past few offseasons, including the Cavaliers and Pacers.
She may be a natural replacement for Popovich, 71, in the event he decides to retire in the near future. So far, though, there is no sign of Popovich wanting to walk away after 21 seasons with the Spurs.
