Hammon was with the team from 2014-2021, and has gone on to win two WNBA titles with the Las Vegas Aces.
SAN ANTONIO — If there’s anything that can help lift Gregg Popovich’s spirits, hopefully it’s a visit from one of his closest confidants.
WNBA champion and former Spurs assistant Becky Hammon returned to San Antonio on Thursday to headline the annual Salvation Army Luncheon at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Brooks. Hammon, who won back-to-back titles with the Las Vegas Aces, got her coaching start in San Antonio with the Spurs in 2014.
She was the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history.
Her relationship with Popovich runs deep; Hammon even reflected on the 76-year-old legend’s impact during her 2023 Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech.
“You’re a man of principle and excellence,” Hammon said at the time. “I know you weren’t trying to be courageous when you hired me, but you did do something nobody else in professional sports has ever done.”
“You’ve changed the trajection of my life. Thank you, I love you,” she told Popovich directly.
Since Hammon took over the Aces job in 2021, Popovich has closely followed along with her career. The longtime Spurs head coach has been known to wear Aces gear at press events and make mention of Hammon’s success.
Her return to San Antonio this week comes at a time when Popovich is recovering from serious illness.
The NBA’s all-time winningest coach is away from the Spurs for the rest of the NBA season as he continues to rehab from a mild stroke suffered at the Frost Bank Center on Nov. 2. Assistant Mitch Johnson has led the team in Popovich’s stead.
Having been on Popovich’s staff in the past, Hammon offered some insight to the job Johnson has done.
“You’re trying to do what your head coach would want you to do, because it’s still….. you work for your head coach,” said Hammon about the fill-in responsibility.
“I think Mitch has done the best job that he has and can do.”
Hammon reflected on her personal experience coaching the Spurs’ Summer League team in 2015, becoming the first female to ever lead a Summer League squad.
“He was like, ‘Don’t try to be me, be you,’” remembers Hammon of Popovich’s advice. “And I think if had to give some suggestions to Mitch, which is a really hard situation, is try to be you the best you can and still try to attain what Pop’s wishes are.”
Hammon also added thoughts on whether or not she thinks Popovich will return to the Spurs for the 2025-26 NBA season.
“If he wants to sail off into the sunset, great. And if he wants to come back and coach, I think it’s great.”
“It’s really just whatever he wants to do.”
The team has maintained the message that Popovich plans to return at some point, but he has not confirmed anything yet.
If and when the time does come to replace Popovich’s mantle as the Spurs head coach, Hammon would certainly be a name floated as a potential replacement.