Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon reacts in opposition to the LA Sparks within the second half at Crypto.com Area. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities Aces coach Becky Hammon is adamant that she by no means mistreated former Las Vegas ahead Dearica Hamby due to her being pregnant again in July 2022.
Hamby filed a lawsuit in federal courtroom in opposition to each the Aces and the WNBA final Monday, claiming that she was the goal of “repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation from the Aces” after revealing that she was pregnant.
The staff discovered that Hamby had a toddler on the way in which simply weeks after the three-time All-Star found that she was pregnant. Hamby was then traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023, a transfer that Hamby believes stemmed from the being pregnant.
Within the lawsuit, Hamby additionally claims that the WNBA didn’t conduct a sound investigation.
Las Vegas performed Hamby and the Sparks on Sunday and got here away with an 87-71 victory. Following the sport, Hammon was requested in regards to the lawsuit.
“This is some information,” Hammon stated. “I have been in both the WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years. I’ve by no means had an HR grievance. By no means, not as soon as. I nonetheless did not, truly, as a result of Dearica did not file any. She did not file with the gamers’ union, she did not file with the WNBA. These are information.
“It is also factual that no one made a name about buying and selling her till Atlanta referred to as us in January (2023). That is a reality. So … it simply did not occur. I am sorry, the bullying? I spoke together with her every single day. If she wished to observe, she practiced. If she did not, she did not. Over-the-top care, truly. Over-the-top care.”
Again in Might 2023, Hammon acquired a two-game suspension following the WNBA’s investigation, which lasted months. The league stated that Hammon had violated Respect within the Office insurance policies.
Hamby, 30, spent the primary eight seasons of her WNBA profession with the Aces, who had been referred to as the San Antonio Stars for her first three years within the league.
In 242 video games (85 begins) with Las Vegas/San Antonio, Hamby averaged 9.2 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists from 2015-22. She gained a hoop with the Aces in 2022 and was a two-time Sixth Girl of the 12 months Award winner (2019, 2020).
This season, Hamby has averaged profession highs in factors (18.3), rebounds (10.1) and assists (3.6) throughout 27 video games (all begins).
Hamby was held to 13 factors on 4-of-12 taking pictures from the sphere on Sunday.
–Subject Stage Media
