Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon reacts towards the LA Sparks within the second half at Crypto.com Enviornment. 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 towards 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 workforce discovered that Hamby had a toddler on the best way 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 concerning the lawsuit.
“Here is some info,” Hammon mentioned. “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, really, 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 info.
“It is also factual that no person made a name about buying and selling her till Atlanta known as us in January (2023). That is a truth. So … it simply did not occur. I am sorry, the bullying? I spoke along with her daily. If she needed to apply, she practiced. If she did not, she did not. Over-the-top care, really. Over-the-top care.”
Again in Could 2023, Hammon obtained a two-game suspension following the WNBA’s investigation, which lasted months. The league mentioned 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 have 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 Yr 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