The Los Angeles Sparks will play against the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday. One highlight of the matchup will be the Sparks’ veteran, Dearica Hamby, competing against her former team and leader, A’ja Wilson. Hamby, in a recent media interaction on Friday, answered a host of questions. She spoke at length about the Aces and their leader, Wilson, and also about the interesting matchup that will keep the fans on their feet throughout the game. Hamby’s story gave the fans a glimpse of what has changed since her transfer to the Sparks.

Dearica Hamby is getting over her past

Hamby was asked about being at loggerheads with the Aces. A composed Hamby shared her side of the story and her emotional trajectory over the past year. Fans were ecstatic to hear her point of view. The same was posted on the ‘Inside the Wubble’ YouTube channel and gained a lot of traction in a few hours. “I feel good definitely different emotions than I had last year returning. I was a little sensitive and I wouldn’t say sensitive but just very emotional about it. But I’m a big girl,” Hamby stated.

Notably, Hamby was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces when they were called the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. Hamby was one of their star players then, but things took a wild turn when, before the 2023 season, she was traded to the Sparks. An emotional Hamby had claimed that the Aces had created an “abusive and hostile” environment post-her pregnancy and had “retaliated” against her as per Just Women’s Sports. Thus, the seven-year-long relationship with the Aces came to an ugly end. After that incident, it is said that the Aces teammates cut ties with Hamby. 

“I wanted to assignment. You know she is the best player in the world. I was her teammate for a while. I was, and I was on that great team when I wasn’t a starter for Vegas. So I’ve guarded her for a lot of time… a lot of time throughout her career and I’m looking forward to it,” Hamby continued.

Similarly, Wilson was drafted by the Aces in 2018, and thus Hamby was a teammate of Wilson for quite some time. Wilson soon became a mainstay player for the Aces, but it cannot be denied that Hamby helped the franchise clinch its first championship title in 2022. Therefore, both Hamby and Wilson are aware of each other’s playing style. Hence, this anticipated matchup between the two will attract a lot of attention. Apart from that, Hamby also reflected on the changes after her transfer to Sparks.

Dearica Hamby reflects on the changes since her transfer

The 30-year-old also spoke about how she feels currently, against the backdrop of her conflict with the Aces. Hamby accepted that “time heals everything,” pointing out that the past was behind her, and also admitted to being in a good mental space. Hopefully, she will be able to show her grit against the Aces without getting sentimental about it and conquer their opponents.

Perhaps the match between the Aces and the Sparks will reveal a lot about how Hamby thinks of the Aces. By maintaining a mental balance, she will be able to defeat the Aces in the upcoming match.