Winning a fifth NBA title wasn’t enough for the Spurs! They’ve finally helped the sport break the gender barrier by bringing aboard a lady assistant coach who was no slouch as a player herself. I was puzzled over the picture I saw of Mrs. Hammon wearing a Russia jersey since she didn’t seem to have a Slavic/Cyrillic name. Whatever it takes to play in the Olympics, they’re rather meaningless to me.
I’m glad to see this opportunity finally happening. The fundamentals to basketball are unisex and the Spurs don’t have as horrible of an off-court track record like the Portland Jailblazers. Ergo, I think the vets and rookies will listen to Becky’s wise advice.
Unlike a lot of American athletes who just go with whichever country will fund and support them, Hammon at least had a connection to Russia: she had played professionally for CSKA for a number of years before representing them in the Olympics.
A lot of marginal hockey talents find it more lucrative to play in the KHL, SEL, etc.; rather than kick around the AHL and ECHL, and basketball players (male and female) do the same. The WNBA doesn’t pay terribly well compared to what other leagues around the world pay women too, so top-tier players frequently go across the Pond.