Misplaced Pages

#720279

85-472: The Liberty have qualified for the WNBA playoffs in nineteen of its twenty-eight years. The franchise has been home to many well-known players such as Teresa Weatherspoon , Rebecca Lobo , Becky Hammon , Leilani Mitchell , Essence Carson , Cappie Pondexter , Tina Charles , the team's first-ever No.1 overall draft pick Sabrina Ionescu , Breanna Stewart , Jonquel Jones , and Courtney Vandersloot . In 2024,

170-614: A "Notice of the Right to Sue" on May 23 2024. On August 12 2024 Dearica Hamby filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces . In the lawsuit, Hamby alleges that Hammon questioned her commitment and dedication to the Aces; asked if Hamby's pregnancy was planned; and told Hamby that she was a "question mark" on the team as the Aces "needed bodies" and she would not be ready to play in time for

255-615: A basketball at a very young age, playing Nerf ball with her older brother and father, and continued to hone her skills on her home court. She was raised as a devout Christian. Hammon played basketball at Stevens High School in her hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota . As a junior, she was named South Dakota Miss Basketball. As a senior, she was voted the South Dakota Player of the Year after averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals per game. She graduated in 1995, and also

340-878: A best-of-five series. The higher seed hosts the first, second, and (if necessary) fifth games. Beginning in 2025, Round One will switch back to a 1–1–1 pattern, and the Finals will become a best-of-seven series , utilizing a 2–2–1–1–1 pattern similar to the NBA, with the higher seed hosting the first and second games, as well as the fifth and seventh games if necessary. Bold Series winner Bold Series winner Bold Series winner Note: Teams re-seeded after each round. Note: Teams re-seeded after each round. Note: Teams re-seeded after each round. Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals. Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals. Note: Teams re-seeded after second round and semi-finals. There were 12 teams in

425-533: A bye for the first round. There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the three teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to three. The top seeded team in each conference got a bye for the first round. There were 10 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in the league were seeded one to four. Houston was switched to the Western Conference in 1998 so two Western Conference teams matched up in

510-650: A contender in the East yet again. In the 2009 season, however, they never proved to be a contender and the team fired head coach Pat Coyle . To replace Coyle, the Liberty hired then-Liberty assistant coach Anne Donovan on an interim basis. Despite the coaching change, the franchise continued to struggle, finishing 13–21, their second worst record in franchise history. The New York Liberty fared better in 2010, during Donovan's first and only full season as head coach. Led by newly signed high scorer Cappie Pondexter (formerly of

595-538: A game against the Los Angeles Sparks . During her year-long rehabilitation, Hammon attended the NBA's San Antonio Spurs ' practices, coaches' meetings, and games, where she was frequently invited to contribute opinions. On August 5, 2014, Hammon was hired as an assistant coach for the Spurs , becoming the first Russian NBA coach in NBA history, as well as the second female coach, after Lisa Boyer worked as

680-705: A great benefit to the Spurs." Hammon has also earned the respect of many NBA players throughout the league. One of basketball's most prolific scorers, Pau Gasol wrote an open letter about female coaches with an emphasis on Hammon; he said, "I've played with some of the best players of this generation … and I've played under two of the sharpest minds in the history of sports, in Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. And I'm telling you: Becky Hammon can coach. I'm not saying she can coach pretty well. I'm not saying she can coach enough to get by. I'm not saying she can coach almost at

765-534: A month later on January 7, 2022. On the roster, the team brought in Stefanie Dolson of the defending champion Chicago Sky and drafted Nyara Sabally fifth overall, though the latter would miss her whole rookie season with an injury. In Brondello's first season at the helm, the team was forced to overcome an early injury to Laney and got off to a 1–7 start. But the All-Star efforts of Ionescu and Howard kept

850-622: A new logo, featuring a simplified version of their Statue of Liberty branding. The color black was also made one of the primary colors, echoing the aesthetic of their NBA brother squad, the Brooklyn Nets. The Liberty began the 2020 season, held in a "bubble" in Bradenton, Florida , due to the COVID-19 pandemic , with seven rookies on their opening-night roster. The team suffered a major blow in their third game, in which Ionescu suffered

935-553: A player and coach. Hammon was named to the team representing the United States at the 1998 William Jones Cup competition in Taipei , Taiwan . The U.S. team, coached by Nell Fortner , won all five games, earning the gold medal for the competition. Hammon scored 18 points over the five games. In 2008, after learning that she would not be invited to try out for the U.S. national team , Hammon announced she would try to claim

SECTION 10

#1732772677721

1020-568: A review of documents including texts and emails, and further resulted in the Aces losing their first round 2025 draft pick. In September 2023, Hamby filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after criticizing the WNBA's investigation for failing to speak with other Aces players and for not dispensing adequate punishment to Hammon or the team. The EEOC granted Hamby

1105-695: A roster slot on the Russian national team in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing . Hammon became a Russian citizen in 2008, a decision that was controversial at the time in American Basketball. The coach of Russia's team, Igor Grudin, was also the sports director of the CSKA team that Hammon played for in Moscow during the WNBA off-season. Hammon also signed a three-year extension with CSKA Moscow at around

1190-467: A severe ankle sprain that ultimately ended her season. The Liberty ended the season with a league-worst 2–20 record. Despite the lack of wins, one of the first-year players, 12th overall pick Jazmine Jones , was named to the Associated Press and WNBA's All-Rookie teams. The Liberty made major splashes during the 2021 offseason. Prior to its first season as full-time tenants of Barclays Center,

1275-581: A star, and the Liberty made it to the 1997 championship game, where the team lost to the Houston Comets . In 1999, they added Crystal Robinson with the 6th overall pick and returned to the WNBA Finals, where they again faced the Comets. In Game 2, Teresa Weatherspoon's halfcourt shot at the buzzer gave the Liberty a one-point road win that tied the series at a game apiece. However, the Liberty lost

1360-530: A volunteer assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Lucas in 2001. Hammon's contribution to the staff made an impression on head coach Gregg Popovich . In a media statement released at the time of the hiring announcement, Popovich stated: "I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff. Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic, and interpersonal skills will be

1445-526: Is an elimination tournament among 8 teams in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals . In the current format of the WNBA playoffs, the top eight teams in the regular season – regardless of conference – participate in a single-elimination tournament system. The eight teams are seeded by their regular season records, with

1530-688: The 2016 WNBA playoffs , the Liberty lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the second round. The Liberty lost to the Washington Mystics in the second round of the 2017 WNBA playoffs. In November 2017, the Madison Square Garden Company and James L. Dolan announced they were actively looking to sell the franchise. After not immediately finding a buyer, MSG relocated most of the Liberty's 2018 home games to Westchester County Center in nearby White Plains, New York ,

1615-528: The 2020 WNBA draft , entering that draft with three first-round picks plus two in the early second round. Shortly before the draft, they traded former league MVP Tina Charles to the Washington Mystics in a deal that also involved the Dallas Wings . They chose Sabrina Ionescu as the first pick , with Megan Walker and Jazmine Jones selected later in that round. The team also introduced

1700-766: The 2024 WNBA Finals . On March 12, 2024, it was announced that Liberty games would be broadcast on WNYW and WWOR beginning with the 2024 season. On June 4, 2024, the Liberty launched their direct-to-consumer service "Liberty Live", which would be the streaming home of the New York Liberty. Previously, games had been broadcast on MSG Network and the YES Network . Broadcasters for the Liberty games are Chris Shearn and Julianne Viani. Some Liberty games are broadcast nationally on CBS , CBS Sports Network , Ion Television , ESPN , ESPN2 and ABC . Official Website WNBA playoffs The WNBA playoffs

1785-543: The Colorado State Rams , Hammon went on to play for the San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for several other teams outside the United States. Hammon was born and raised in the United States, but she became a naturalized Russian citizen in 2008 and represented the Russian national team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics . Hammon

SECTION 20

#1732772677721

1870-581: The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the best senior player under 5 ft 8 in (1.7 m) in 1999. On November 12, 2004, Hammon was inducted into the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame. On January 22, 2005, her number 25 Colorado State jersey was retired at Moby Arena . Undrafted during her rookie season, Hammon was signed to

1955-554: The Phoenix Mercury ) and the 2010 Most Improved Player Award winner Leilani Mitchell, the team made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals , where they lost to the Atlanta Dream. The team had high hopes for 2011, after the hiring of former WNBA champion head coach John Whisenant . Janel McCarville did not report to training camp, seeking time with her family, and as such, was suspended for

2040-646: The Russian national team in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was controversial in American basketball. In some circles she was branded an American traitor, with then-U.S. national coach Anne Donovan questioning her patriotism. "If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind," Donovan said. Hammon responded to Donovan's criticism saying, "You don't know me. You don't know what that flag means to me. You don't know how I grew up. The biggest honor in our classroom

2125-548: The San Antonio Silver Stars for Jessica Davenport , a first round pick in the 2007 WNBA draft . They also acquired center Janel McCarville through the dispersal draft associated with the dissolution of the Charlotte Sting . The 2007 Liberty started out 5–0, then lost 7 straight games, then rallied at the end of the season to get the last playoff spot by winning 3 out of their last 4 games, beating

2210-476: The WNBA on May 12, 1999, and joined the New York Liberty . She had a solid rookie season statistically, backing up starting point guard Teresa Weatherspoon . Her aggressive play at both ends of the court made her a favorite among Liberty fans. After the 2003 season, Hammon took over for Weatherspoon as the Liberty's starting point guard and, with Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson , became one of

2295-795: The Washington Mystics on the tiebreaker of head-to-head record. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Liberty, as huge underdogs, faced the defending champion Detroit Shock in a best-of-three series. The Liberty defeated the Shock in game 1 in New York. In games 2 and 3 the Liberty lost both games to the Shock in Detroit, 76–73 and 71–70 (OT), respectively. In 2008, the Liberty drafted former Rutgers shooting guard Essence Carson and former North Carolina forward Erlana Larkins, and signed former Utah point guard Leilani Mitchell during

2380-581: The " Liberty Outdoor Classic ", the first ever professional regular season basketball game to be played outdoors, on July 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center . The Indiana Fever defeated the Liberty in the Outdoor Classic. In the 2009 WNBA draft , the Liberty selected local favorite Kia Vaughn from Rutgers. With a solid core group, the Liberty looked to be

2465-546: The 2015 WNBA draft to the Connecticut Sun for WNBA All-Star Tina Charles , who had requested a trade. In February 2015, Pondexter was traded to the Chicago Sky for Epiphanny Prince . On May 5, 2015, the Liberty hired Thomas as team president overseeing all business and basketball operations of the franchise. Under Thomas' leadership as team president and the coaching staff led by Bill Laimbeer as head coach,

2550-564: The Associated Press' Rookie of the Year Award. New York finished the year with a 12–20 record but the 10-game improvement in the win column was enough to push the team into the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2017. Seeded eighth, the Liberty put up a valiant effort against No. 5 Phoenix in the opening but fell by an 83–82 final. On December 6, 2021, the Liberty and head coach Walt Hopkins Jr. parted ways. The team would hire former Phoenix head coach Sandy Brondello in his place just over

2635-612: The Connecticut Sun in a three-team deal that also obtained reserve Kayla Thornton from the Dallas Wings. The Liberty then added the equally accomplished Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot in free agency. Over the ensuing season, the Liberty won a franchise-record 32 games and defeated the Las Vegas Aces in the Commissioner's Cup in-season competition, with Jones securing MVP honors. The Liberty then took down

New York Liberty - Misplaced Pages Continue

2720-588: The Elephant on May 6, 2021. Prior to the team's first season, to avoid potential trademark infringement, the team purchased the trademarks of the defunct Liberty Basketball Association. When the WNBA opened in 1997, the Liberty were one of the first teams to choose a player, and they signed college superstar Rebecca Lobo ( UConn ) to a contract. Lobo was a starter for two seasons, but was injured in 1999. Her injuries eventually led to her retirement several seasons later. Point guard Teresa Weatherspoon emerged as

2805-657: The Garden in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty ended up playing in the Prudential Center in Newark , New Jersey , for their 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons while the renovations were ongoing. Pondexter and Plenette Pierson , along with improved play from Vaughn, allowed New York to be competitive early in the 2011 season. The team went into the All-Star break in third place in the Eastern Conference. In August, Sidney Spencer

2890-545: The Houston Comets, Ann Wauters emerged as a force at the team's starting center position in 2005. However, she was injured midway through the season. The loss of Wauters was felt as the team was swept two games to none by the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. The Liberty had a poor 2006 season, winning only 11 games. At the beginning of the 2007 WNBA season, the team traded Becky Hammon to

2975-473: The Liberty added WNBA champions Natasha Howard and Sami Whitcomb in a multi-team trade that sent Kia Nurse and Megan Walker to the Phoenix Mercury and signed Betnijah Laney , the league's 2020 Most Improved Player Award winner. The team then added Michaela Onyenwere and DiDi Richards in the 2021 WNBA draft. Laney would represent the Liberty at the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game while Onyenwere won

3060-493: The Liberty finished first in the Eastern Conference during the 2015 season. On August 2, 2015, during halftime at the game against the Seattle Storm , the New York Liberty inducted WNBA legend Becky Hammon into the Liberty's Ring of Honor. Thomas presented Hammon with her ring during the induction ceremony at Madison Square Garden . Hammon is currently the head coach of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces . After qualifying for

3145-535: The Liberty subsequently returned to the finals in 2000 and 2002, but lost once again to the Comets and to the Los Angeles Sparks , respectively. The Liberty also advanced to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. The 2003 season marked a transition for the Liberty and with team leader Teresa Weatherspoon's WNBA career winding down, fan favorite Becky Hammon emerged as a star player. The 2004 season saw Hammon replacing Weatherspoon as

3230-497: The Liberty. Primarily used to provide instant points off the bench, Hammon had a breakout WNBA season in 2003, providing much-needed offense for the Liberty. However, her season was cut short by a knee injury. On August 16, 2005, Hammon scored her 2,000th WNBA career point. At the end of the 2005 season, she was named to the All-WNBA Second Team. In January 2007, she played her WNBA "off season" with Rivas Futura in

3315-547: The Los Angeles Sparks. The Silver Stars advanced to the 2008 WNBA Finals , where they were defeated by the Detroit Shock 3–0. Hammon averaged a career-high 19.5 ppg and 5.0 apg in the 2009 WNBA season. The Silver Stars had a record of 15–19 and lost to the eventual champion Phoenix Mercury in the first round. Hammon was an All-Star as well as a first-team All-WNBA selection. On August 31, 2011, Hammon became

3400-527: The New York Liberty won their first WNBA Championship beating the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals . The Liberty have three conference championships, and one WNBA championship. They have played in the WNBA Finals six times— defeating the Minnesota Lynx in 2024 , and losing to the Houston Comets in 1997 , 1999 , and 2000 , the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002 and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023 . The New York Liberty introduced their Mascot, Ellie

3485-485: The Olympic stage, and it was not a purely financial decision. However, by obtaining Russian citizenship , her salary with CSKA tripled, and she was eligible to make $ 250,000 for winning a gold medal for Russia from the government. She would have received a $ 150,000 bonus for winning a silver medal. Since then, Anne Donovan changed her position, stating "I don't know that I have any strong thoughts on [Becky Hammon joining

New York Liberty - Misplaced Pages Continue

3570-521: The Russian national team] anymore. Even at the time. I've known marathon runners in particular that I've watched over the years have represented other countries. I've watched other athletes do it." She also said: The thing that took me off guard with Becky was that it hasn't happened in women's basketball before. And again, the facts around that: that we didn't ask her to participate, that we didn't ask her to try out for our team, that's really what I had

3655-684: The Silver Stars to a WNBA best record 24–10 and led them into the playoffs for a second straight year. In the conference semi-finals, Hammon scored 30 points in a Game 1 win against the Sacramento Monarchs. San Antonio would eventually win the series and advance to the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss in Game 1 and a win in Game 2, Hammon's 35 points propelled the Silver Stars to a victory in Game 3 against

3740-645: The Spanish League. On April 4, 2007, Hammon was traded to the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars . Hammon posted career high averages of 18.8 ppg (fourth best) and 5.0 apg in 2007. She led the league in assists that year. While in San Antonio, Hammon earned the nickname "Big Shot Becky" because of her ability to make shots in important moments. Her nickname was derived from "Big Shot Bob", a nickname given to San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry . In 2008, Hammon averaged 17.6 ppg, and 4.9 apg as she led

3825-637: The WNBA Finals. Becky Hammon As head coach: Rebecca Lynn Hammon (Russian: Ребекка Линн Хэммон; born March 11, 1977) is a Russian-American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She previously served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A three-time All-American basketball player for

3910-620: The WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years. I've never had an HR complaint. Never, not once. I still didn't, actually, because Dearica didn't file any. She didn't file with the players' union, she didn't file with the WNBA. Those are facts. It's also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January [2023]. That's a fact. So...it just didn't happen. I'm sorry, 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. Over-the-top care." The lawsuit

3995-418: The Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun in the WNBA playoffs to earn their first WNBA Finals berth since 2002. Las Vegas, however, took revenge and the best-of-five series in four games. New York retained most of its core from the Finals run, re-signing both Jones and Stewart. Further assisted by the emergence of WNBA rookie Leonie Fiebich , the Liberty once again won 32 games, tying the franchise record set

4080-720: The Year. She led her team to a 33–3 record in the 1998–99 season and helped them advance to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen . She was named the WAC Mountain Division player of the year for the 1998–99 season and surpassed University of Utah player Keith Van Horn as the WAC's all-time leading scorer. [1] Hammon set many Colorado State all-time records, including points (2740), points per game (21.92), field goals made (918), free throws made (539), three-point field goals made (365) and assists (538). She received

4165-401: The duration of the 2011 season. This caused division and discord within the New York Liberty fanbase. Kia Vaughn was unexpectedly thrust into the role of starting Center. The Liberty were originally scheduled to be displaced from their usual home court due to renovations at Madison Square Garden scheduled to begin in 2009. However, the renovation plans were delayed, and the Liberty played at

4250-527: The first Russian coach in WNBA history. In her first year as head coach, Hammon's Aces won the 2022 WNBA Finals and she became the first rookie head coach to win the WNBA title. The following season, the Las Vegas Aces repeated as 2023 WNBA champions, with Hammon becoming the first coach to win back-to-back WNBA titles in 20 years. On August 12, 2023, Hammon was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions as

4335-489: The first female NBA head coach to win a Summer League title. At the 2016 NBA All-Star Game , Hammon became the first woman to be part of an All-Star coaching staff. On June 2, 2017, Hammon was interviewed for the position of general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks ; she was not considered as a finalist for the position. During her seventh season with the San Antonio Spurs , on December 30, 2020, Gregg Popovich

SECTION 50

#1732772677721

4420-648: The first- and second-seeded teams entered the tournament at the Semifinals, third and fourth places started at the Second Round, and the remaining four began at the First Round. The format also eliminated conference seeding, instead having the top eight teams overall advance. The First and Second Rounds were only a single game, with the winning team immediately advancing to the next round. The Semifinals and Finals were both best-of-five series. After each round,

4505-409: The higher seeded team (or the team with the better record) in each series given homecourt advantage. Round One is a best-of-three series , played with a homecourt pattern of 2–1 (the higher seed hosts games 1 and 2, while the lower seed hosts game 3, if necessary). The Semifinals and Finals are both best-of-five , played with a homecourt pattern of 2–2–1 (the higher seed hosts games 1, 2, and 5, while

4590-595: The home of MSG's NBA G League team the Westchester Knicks , while still continuing to pursue a sale. In 2018, the Liberty failed to make the playoffs, with a 7–27 record. On January 23, 2019, the Liberty were sold to Joseph Tsai, co-founder of the Alibaba Group, a Chinese internet company, who then owned 49% of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets , and Clara Wu Tsai , an American businesswoman and founder of nonprofit organization Reform Alliance . Isiah Thomas

4675-502: The league's 'respect in the workplace' policies in her treatment of former Aces player Dearica Hamby . This suspension was the result of a multi-month investigation into Hamby's allegations of discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of Hammon and the Aces after informing them of her pregnancy in August 2022, a pregnancy she alleges is also what led to the team trading her to Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023. The WNBA's investigation included interviews with 33 people, in addition to

4760-404: The league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 12 teams in

4845-405: The league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. Starting in 2010, the first two rounds changed to a 1-1-1 format, with the higher-seeded team hosting games 1 & 3. There were 13 teams in the league. For

4930-424: The league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 12 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the three teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to three. The top seeded team in each conference got

5015-404: The league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 16 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 16 teams in

5100-455: The level of the NBA's coaches. I'm saying: Becky Hammon can coach NBA basketball. Period." Hammon has been inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and has been selected as ESPNW's Woman of the Year. On July 3, 2015, Hammon became the first female head coach in the NBA's Summer League when the Spurs announced she would coach their summer league team. Hammon led the Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title on July 20, 2015, becoming

5185-440: The lower seed hosts games 3 and 4). Beginning in 2025 the WNBA finals will expand to Best of 7 and the first round will change to a 1-1-1 format (with games 1 and 3 being hosted by the higher seed and game 2 by the lower seed) In case of ties, the following procedures are followed: The playoff format has changed throughout the years ever since the league's establishment. In the league's first two seasons, 1997 and 1998, only

SECTION 60

#1732772677721

5270-421: The lower surviving seed faced the higher seed in the next round, while the higher surviving seed faced the lower seed. The current format was adopted in 2022 and features the top 8 teams in the league (regardless of conference) playing a three-round series for the championship. The first round is a best-of-three series with the higher seed hosting both of the first two games, while the Semifinals and Finals remain

5355-403: The most issue with. Becky made a great business decision and this was a great opportunity for her to get to the Olympic Games. I hold no grudge and more power to her. But the facts around it when it first came out were not accurate. Becky came, had a great experience; I'm glad we're going to the gold medal game. In May 2023, Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension from the WNBA for violating

5440-496: The most significant contributions to the Liberty's tradition of excellence and to the growth of the WNBA." Previous inductees include Vickie Johnson , Teresa Weatherspoon , Rebecca Lobo , Sue Wicks , and Kym Hampton . On June 25, 2016, the San Antonio Stars retired Hammon's No. 25 jersey prior to the Atlanta Dream game. Hammon had long expressed aspirations of becoming a coach after her playing career ended. On July 13, 2013, Hammon tore her left anterior cruciate ligament in

5525-482: The playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four, this was also the first season where the WNBA finals was expanded to a best-of-5 game series. There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 14 teams in

5610-404: The playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 14 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 13 teams in the league. For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in each conference were seeded one to four. There were 14 teams in the league. For

5695-478: The preseason. Despite having the youngest average age of any WNBA team, the Liberty managed to win 19 regular season games in 2008, to defeat the Connecticut Sun in the first round of playoff action, and to come within two points of defeating the Detroit Shock in the third and last game of the Eastern Conference Finals. Again, the Detroit series entailed a Liberty victory at home in Game 1, followed by narrow defeats away in Games 2 and 3. The 2008 season also featured

5780-518: The release of Griner. Hammon was shown in Marie Claire magazine's "The 8 Greatest Moments for Women in Sports". Hammon has been in a relationship with Brenda Milano since 2015. They have two sons. Hammon is also a noted poker player in the WNBA off-season. In December 2023 she attended the inaugural World Series of Poker Paradise event, where her first tournament was the $ 5 million guaranteed $ 1,650 Mystery Millions. Hammon's decision to gain naturalized Russian citizenship in order to play for

5865-503: The same time she was named as a prospect for the national team. Hammon shot 1-for-6 from the field in a 67–52 loss to the United States in the 2008 Olympic semifinals, but helped the Russian team to win the bronze medal by scoring 22 points against China. She played for Russia at EuroBasket 2009 , the 2010 World Championship and the 2012 Olympics . In response to the detainment of Brittney Griner in Russia due to alleged drug possession in 2022, Hammon joined other athletes to call for

5950-431: The seventh player in WNBA history to score 5,000 points. Later in the year, Hammon scored 37 points in a playoff-clinching win against the Los Angeles Sparks. Hammon retired from the WNBA in 2014. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star. On August 2, 2015, Hammon was inducted into the Ring of Honor during halftime of the game between the New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm . The Ring of Honor recognizes players who have "made

6035-405: The start of the 2024 season. It further alleges Hammon told Hamby that she did not "hold up her end of the bargain," implying that Hamby had implicitly agreed not to get pregnant when she signed her two-year contract extension. Becky Hammon has strongly denied the allegations, stating in a post-game press conference after the federal lawsuit was filed: "Here's some facts: I've been in either

6120-470: The team afloat and they would end the season on a three-game winning streak to secure its second consecutive playoff berth. In the ensuing postseason, the Liberty won the opening game of a best-of-three set with the Chicago Sky but dropped the latter pair. In 2023, the Liberty made several major transactions that turned them into immediate contenders: the team acquired 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones from

6205-659: The team's co-captains in 2004. In 2003, her first season with the Tennessee Fury of the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL), Hammon led the league in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game. In 2004, Hammon signed with the Colorado Chill, a new team in the NWBL, but played in only two games because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her right knee sustained in the 2003 season when playing for

6290-461: The team's starting point guard. The Liberty played six of their home games during the 2004 season at Radio City Music Hall as Madison Square Garden was hosting the 2004 Republican National Convention . These games marked the first time Radio City had hosted a professional sporting event since the Roy Jones Jr. boxing match held in 1999. With team leader Tari Phillips being signed away to

6375-418: The third game of the series and the Comets became champions for a third straight time. In 2000, the Liberty traded for Tari Phillips who blossomed in New York and made four straight All-Star teams. In 2001, Weatherspoon became the WNBA's all-time assist leader. Teamed with Robinson, Phillips and an emerging Sue Wicks , who was once a back-up to Lobo at forward but made the 2000 All-Star game, Weatherspoon and

6460-410: The top four teams overall advanced to the playoffs, which comprised only two rounds. In 1997, only a single game was played in all matches. In 1998, each match became a best-of-three series. The homecourt pattern for best-of-three was 1–1–1. As expansion began, the playoff format accommodated more teams. 1999 featured six teams, with the top three teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs, and

6545-502: The top seed of each conference getting a bye into the Conference Finals. The following season, it was expanded to eight teams with the top four teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs. In 2005, the WNBA Finals became a best-of-five series. Despite the departure of some teams later on, this format continued until 2015. From 2016-2021, a new format was introduced, featuring a stepladder -like system. In this format,

6630-539: The year before. The Liberty also returned to the Commissioner's Cup final but were denied a repeat by the Minnesota Lynx. This time around, the 32 wins were good enough to secure the top seed on the WNBA playoff bracket, which saw the Liberty sweep the eighth-ranked Atlanta Dream in two games before defeating the Aces 3-1 in the semifinals. New York won its first WNBA Championship beating the Minnesota Lynx in

6715-578: Was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs' 121–107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers , and Hammon became the first female acting head coach in NBA history. In 2021, Hammon was the first woman to be a finalist for an NBA head coaching position when she interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers . The job went to Chauncey Billups . Hammon was hired as the head coach for the Las Vegas Aces on December 31, 2021, becoming

6800-536: Was hired by the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach in 2014. Hammon served as the team's Summer League head coach in 2015; she is the first woman to be a head coach in the Summer League. On December 30, 2020, Hammon became the first female acting head coach in NBA history after Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers . A year later in December 2021, she

6885-652: Was hired by the Las Vegas Aces to be their head coach. Hammon previously played for the Aces from 2007 to 2014 when the team played in San Antonio and was known as the Stars, and has her number retired by the organization. On August 12, 2023, Hammon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame , becoming the first Russian in the basketball hall of fame. Hammon was born in Rapid City, South Dakota . Hammon learned to dribble

6970-769: Was relieved of his duties a month later, on February 21, 2019. During the 2019 season, the Liberty played two games in Brooklyn at the Nets' home of the Barclays Center , with the rest still in White Plains. Later that year, Joseph Tsai became the sole owner of the Nets and the Barclays Center. For the 2020 season, the Tsais relocated the Liberty to Brooklyn on a full-time basis. The Liberty were major players in

7055-508: Was traded to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Kara Braxton . By maintaining a fairly even standard of play, the Liberty made their way into the WNBA playoffs. However, the Liberty fell to the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Just before the 2014 WNBA draft , the New York Liberty traded Kelsey Bone, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 WNBA draft (Alyssa Thomas) and the fourth overall pick in

7140-476: Was voted female class athlete by her graduating class. Despite the accolades, she drew little attention from college basketball recruiters, who considered her too small and too slow. She eventually grabbed the attention of a Colorado State assistant coach, and she committed to the Rams. Hammon's prolific scoring for the Colorado State Rams made her an All-American three times, as well as Colorado Sportswoman of

7225-403: Was who could put up the (American) flag, roll it up right, not let the corners touch the ground. Obviously we definitely define patriotism differently." She has also stated. "I love my country. I love our national anthem. It absolutely gives me chills sometimes. I feel honored to be an American, to be from America because of what we stand for." Hammon said she played for Russia primarily to play on

#720279