Aces hire Becky Hammon as new head coach

Becky Hammon, who has been on the San Antonio Spurs bench since 2014, is the first full-time, paid female assistant coach in the NBA (Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports)

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces have a new head coach.

Former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon was named the Aces head coach.

Hammon was with the Spurs as a coach since 2014, but will now be a head coach for the first time.

“I am so excited to return to the WNBA and grateful for Mark Davis and Nikki Fargas having a vision for me to lead the Aces,” said Hammon. “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.”

Hammon will replace Bill Laimbeer, who was the Aces head coach from 2018 through 2021.  Laimbeer will remain within the organization to help build the 2022 roster.

“This is the best possible scenario for the Las Vegas Aces,” said Laimbeer. “It takes a tremendous amount of energy to be a head coach. In Becky, the team now has somebody who can serve in that role for the long term, which is great for both the players and the franchise.”

Hammon played for both the New York Liberty and the San Antonio Stars in the WNBA.

NOTE: The Aces also added basketball legend Jennifer Azzi as the team’s chief business development officer.