Spurs Hire NBA’s First Full-Time Female Coach

The San Antonio Spurs have been the NBA’s model franchise for success over the past 17 seasons, and their latest move is a groundbreaking one that other teams may follow for years to come.

Becky Hammon, a six-time All-Star who plays for the San Antonio Stars, the city's WNBA franchise, has been named by the Spurs as the NBA’s second female assistant coach.

Set to retire this month, finishing up a 16-year career as a player, 37-year-old Hammon, becomes the second woman to serve on an N.B.A. coaching staff. The first was Lisa Boyer, who was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers staff in the 2001-2002 season. Boyer, however, worked part time and was not paid by the team. Hammon has been hired to a full-time, paid position.

Named one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All-Time in July of 2011, Hammon ranks seventh in WNBA history in points (with 5,809), fourth in assists (1,687) and sixth in games (445).

"I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff," said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I’m confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs."