Las Vegas, NV — In a post-game press conference following the Las Vegas Aces’ 87-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, Aces head coach Becky Hammon addressed allegations leveled against her and the organization by former player Dearica Hamby. Hammon, now coaching the player who accused her and the team of significant misconduct, explicitly refuted the claims of bullying and discrimination.
Hammon, expressing a strong disagreement with Hamby’s accusations, stated, “It just didn’t happen — the bullying. I spoke with her every day. If she wanted to practice, she practiced. If she didn’t, she didn’t. Over-the-top care, actually.” This statement came in response to the distressing allegations from Hamby, who filed a lawsuit against the Aces and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) earlier this month.
Hamby claimed the organization discriminated against her after learning she was pregnant and subsequently traded her to the Sparks in early January 2023. She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the previous fall arguing that her trade was motivated by her pregnancy status, something the organization knew about since she announced her pregnancy in September 2022.
According to Hamby’s allegations, further issues arose after the announcement of her pregnancy, including evasion from the franchise concerning financial commitments related to her first child’s private schooling tuition payments, aspects included in her contract, and being instructed to vacate team-assigned housing.
In the wake of these claims, multiple investigations were prompted, and the findings led the WNBA to penalize the Aces with the forfeiture of a 2025 draft pick. Hamby’s lawsuit highlights her dissatisfaction with the league’s response, arguing that it failed to adequately address the issues or include testimonials from players who might support her claims. She described the trade process as “traumatic,” marked by deceit, manipulation, and discrimination.
Addressing her record on Sunday night, Hammon highlighted her lengthy and complaint-free career in both the WNBA and NBA, suggesting the baselessness of the accusations against her. “Here are some facts,” Hammon articulated, “I’ve never had an HR complaint, never, not once.”
Hamby, despite the ongoing legal and personal disputes, has continued to excel on the court, averaging 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season. However, during the game against her old team, she faced an unwelcoming atmosphere, being booed persistently by the home crowd, a reflection of the complex emotions and loyalties surrounding her departure.
The outcome of Sunday’s game further delineated the contrasting performances of the two teams this season. Following the victory, the Aces improved to a 17-9 record, closely trailing the first-place Minnesota Lynx in the Western Conference, while the Sparks’ defeat sunk them to a 6-21 record, tying for the league’s worst.
The situation underscores not just a personal and legal battle but showcases the intricate relationship between player welfare and team management policies in professional sports, amid shifting societal expectations on employee rights and maternity protections. As this lawsuit progresses, it might prompt wider discussions and possibly changes in how sports franchises handle similar situations in the future.