Spurs Hire First Full Time Female Coach In NBA History, Becky Hammon Becomes Assistant Coach After Women's Basketball

Becky Hammon was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs to be their assistant coach for the upcoming season, after having played 16 seasons in the WNBA. She now becomes the first full time NBA coach- who is a woman.

"It's a tremendous challenge, and it comes with tremendous responsibility," Hammon said last Tuesday. "There have been so many other women that are doing really, really great things, and I'm just kind of following in their paths."

The 37- year- old was actually the second woman to hold a coaching position in NBA. However, Lisa Boyer, the first one, only worked part time, and was not paid by the team.

"Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball I.Q., work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs," said Coach Gregg Popovich in an official statement.

The woman coach have said that she had an 'internship' before she was officially hired by the Spurs. Last season, she was in the practices, watched the film- reviews, and have seen the games from the bench.

Popovich have said that Hammon had all the qualifications, "He says, 'It just so happens you're a woman,' " the assistant coach said.

However, most will say that it is not a surprise that Spurs hired a woman as their assistant coach. The team is known to be a game changer in basketball ideas.

"I think it's no surprise to anybody that they think a little bit differently down here," Hammon said, talking about the Spurs.

"First and foremost, this means respect, she did not get hired just because she is a woman. She was hired because she was qualified, because they know her personality, how she interacts with players, how she understands X's and O's," said Nancy Lieberman, assistant general manager of the Texas Legends.

With reports from: nytimes.com