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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

We have rarely seen someone from the WNBA making a significant impact on the NBA. However, that seems to have changed over the past few years. After a stellar 15-year career in the WNBA, Becky Hammon was a crucial part of the San Antonio Spurs organization as an assistant coach for eight years. She broke boundaries when she became the first female coach to achieve numerous feats in the NBA. And anyone who has served under the legendary coach Gregg Popovich is bound to pick up a few of his traits. However, after months of speculation about a possible NBA return, Hammon does not seem too eager yet.

After spending eight seasons in the NBA with the Spurs, Hammon went on to win the WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces in her first season as their head coach. But when asked about a potential return to the league, Hammon?s statement was as cold as ice.

Becky Hammon gives a cold statement

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The $3.1 billion worth Toronto Raptors are one of the few teams looking for a new head coach after the exit of Nick Nurse. The Raptors had a disappointing end to the 2022-23 NBA season, losing to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament.

USA Today via Reuters

Nick Nurse had signed a four-year deal with the Toronto Raptors that would?ve ended after the 2023-24 NBA season. However, the Raptors’ front office decided to pull the plug and look for a new face for the head coaching position.

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One of the names that the Raptors were reportedly looking to pursue was Becky Hammon. However, when asked to give her thoughts on the Raptors’ head coaching position, Hammon said, ?I?m not commenting on Toronto. This is all about the Aces, and I won?t take one moment away from these women to talk about them boys.?

 

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This wasn’t the first time Hammon has been in the running for a major NBA role. Back in 2017, the Milwaukee Bucks interviewed Hammon for the General Manager role. However, that didn’t come to fruition and she continued her role with the Spurs.

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Will the Raptors pursue Hammon after this?

In her first year with the Las Vegas Aces, Becky Hammon went on to not only win a WNBA championship but also be awarded the Coach of the Year award as well. She has all the credentials to be a successful NBA coach. It’s just a matter of when rather than if in her case.

Watch This Story – WNBA stars who can realistically play in the NBA

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Hammon was an integral part of the San Antonio Spurs organization. She had the opportunity to coach the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. In 2015, Hammon became the first-ever female head coach in NBA’s Summer League and she led the Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title.

Over the next few years, Hammon continued to make history. She became the first woman to be part of an All-Star coaching staff. She also became the first female acting head coach in league history when Pop was ejected from a game in 2020. Do you think Hammon and Raptors will be a good match? Let us know in the comments.