NBA’s San Antonio Spurs Hire Female Assistant Coach

FILE - In this April 30, 2014, file photo, San Antonio Stars' Becky Hammon walks off the court following Game 5 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Maverick... FILE - In this April 30, 2014, file photo, San Antonio Stars' Becky Hammon walks off the court following Game 5 of the opening-round NBA basketball playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks in San Antonio. Stars guard and 16-year WNBA veteran, Becky Hammon, will retire at the conclusion of the 2014 WNBA season, the team announced Wednesday, July 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) MORE LESS
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The San Antonio Spurs announced Tuesday that Becky Hammon will join the team’s coaching staff.

Hammon, an all-time WNBA great who has played the last eight seasons for the San Antonio Stars, said she will retire as a player at the end of the current season.

She will join the Spurs sideline for team’s title defense in the 2014-2015 season, making her the second female assistant coach in NBA history. According to ESPN.com, Lisa Boyer was the first female assistant when she served on the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff during the 2001-2002 season.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he was impressed with Hammon when she spent time with the team last season.

“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” Popovich said. “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.”

Note: This post has been updated to indicate that Hammon is not the first female to join an NBA coaching staff. Hammon is, however, the first female to be a paid assistant.

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