American basketball player Becky Hammon received Russian citizenship in February 2008 and began playing for the women’s national team of the country. In the form of the Russian national team, Becky won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games and silver medals at the Eurobasket 2009.

The Honored Master of Sports of Russia, the owner of the Order “For Services to the Fatherland” of the II degree for a great contribution to the development of physical culture and sports, high sporting achievements at the Games in Beijing — Becky received these awards for a reason. Hammon’s contribution to the recent success of the women’s team at the Olympics is huge. Becky played at the star level in the women’s NBA, but the US national team had enough talent, and she did not find a place in the “star-spangled” team. Hammon always wanted to win, so she made a bold decision to take Russian citizenship. I didn’t lose it.

In 2013, at the age of 36, Hammon ended her playing career due to a torn cruciate ligament. I realized that it was time to realize an old dream and become a coach.

Becky has been working as an assistant coach of the Spurs since 2014 to the present day. Hammon is not used to being on the sidelines. Her ambitions are higher. Becky intends to become the first female head coach in the NBA club. However, it is not possible to create history in any way. Not through the fault of Hammon, who is openly infringed on in the United States. Becky went through a myriad of interviews, but in the end, the NBA clubs always preferred to appoint a male applicant.

The United States declares the principles of equality on racial, gender and any other basis. In fact, there is clear skepticism about the appointment of a woman to the post of head coach in the most successful sports league in the country, the NBA. Even the shocking owner of the New York Knicks, James Dolan, did not dare to make a bold move with the appointment of Hammon. Although a year ago, his franchise was in a desperate situation. It seemed that nothing could be worse and there was nothing to lose, but the Knicks ignored Hammon and preferred Tom Thibodeau. Yes, Thibodeau transformed New York and led it to the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, but Becky could have done the same. Thibodeau’s contribution to the Knicks ‘ upgrade is huge, but the rapidly progressing basketball players Julius Randle, R. J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and others also made a significant contribution. Hammon could have achieved a similar result if she had been given the chance.

Obviously, Becky Hammon is one of the strongest assistants in the NBA. Her qualifications are high enough to be a helmsman, not an assistant. But everything ends at the interview stage. Becky is given false hope, and then very cynically takes it away.

This summer, Hammon seriously applied for the post of head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. History repeats itself. They gave us hope, but in the end they appointed a man. Becky admitted that she expected the appointment of 44-year-old Chauncey Billups to the team from Oregon.

“Even before the club announced its decision, I knew that I was number two. I understood who they really wanted to invite. And I accepted it. Because in every race I have participated in in my life, I have been as a laggard. Everything is fine, this is the reality. But at the same time, I perfectly understand the obstacles that I have to face,” said Hammon.

“I’m not angry. This is a business, and a very competitive business. But, in the end, if you want to hire me, you will find a reason to hire me. And if you don’t want to hire me, you’ll find a reason for that, too. That’s all. I’m focused on taking the next step in my career. I know how much I am appreciated at San Antonio, and I am satisfied with it

This ball never moves fast enough. People don’t like doing something new and unusual. This is inconvenient. This requires a huge risk. But someone will have to take a risk. This can happen either in a year or in 10 years. I’m not sure. But what I have no doubt is that I will be ready, ” Hammon said.

Anyway, it seems that very soon Becky’s patience will end. She was “rolled” with work not only in “Portland” and “New York”, “Milwaukee Bucks”, “Orlando Magic”, “Detroit Pistons” are also included in this list. It’s hard to strive for something and constantly fail. Hammon, like no other, deserved to become the first woman to become the head coach of an NBA club. Even male basketball players talk about this.