NBA: Becky Hammon becomes first paid female assistant coach of a North American men's team

Becky Hammon was named an assistant manager of the San Antonio Spurs (NBA, National Basketball Association), the team announced on 05/08/2014.

She is the first full-time, paid female assistant on an NBA coaching staff, the North American professional basketball league said. During the 2001-02 season, Lisa Boyer had already participated in training and matches for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), working with the players and coaches, but she had not traveled with the team or received a salary. No woman fills the role as coach or assistant coach in a paid capacity in the other four top North American sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS).

Hammon, 37, has been a player in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) for eight seasons with the San Antonio Stars (2007-2014). She began her career with New York Liberty in 1999. She will join the staff of the San Antonio Spurs after officially retiring from playing at the end of the WNBA season on 17/08/2014.

She will strategise for the Spurs in cooperation with other members of staff, scouting young players and organizing day-to-day…