Aces coach Becky Hammon says Dearica Hamby's mistreatment allegations 'didn't happen'
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon responded to former player Dearica Hamby's federal lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation over Hamby's pregnancy, unequivocally denying the allegations.
"Here's some facts: I've been in either the WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years," Hammon said Sunday, according to ESPN.com, after the Aces defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, Hamby's current team. "I've never had an HR complaint. Never, not once. I still didn't, actually, because Dearica didn't file any. She didn't file with the players' union, she didn't file with the WNBA. Those are facts.
"It's also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January (2023). That's a fact. So … it just didn't happen. I'm sorry, the bullying? I spoke with her every day. If she wanted to practice, she practiced. If she didn't, she didn't. Over-the-top care, actually. Over-the-top care."
The lawsuit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada and claims Hamby suffered "a loss of reputational prestige and brand value" and "loss of marketing and/or endorsement opportunities" after the Aces traded her to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023.
It alleges that the Aces offered Hamby incentives outside of a two-year contract she signed in June 2022 in an effort to retain her services. Those incentives, per the filing, included "an agreement by the Las Vegas Aces to cover private tuition costs" for Hamby's daughter, Amaya, and team-provided housing that the filing states Hamby used for family to assist with childcare duties when she was traveling for away games.
The lawsuit also alleges that Hamby "experienced notable changes in the way she was treated by Las Vegas Aces staff" after she made her pregnancy public weeks after signing her contract.
That included the team allegedly withholding the promised tuition relief for her daughter's school and her alleged forced removal from the team-provided housing. The lawsuit also alleges that Hammon "questioned Hamby's dedication and commitment to the team" during a January 2023 phone call, and that Hammon "did not deny the accusation that Hamby was being traded because she was pregnant."
The lawsuit is seeking damages through a jury trial.
"It came down to math in business," Hammon said Sunday of the decision to trade Hamby. "That's all it was. Nothing personal. I had a great relationship with Hamby the whole time. Which is why she probably felt the way she did. You know, it feels like a betrayal. But like I said, it's a crappy part of my job, but somebody's got to be the bearer of bad news."
In Sunday's game, Hamby scored 13 points and added 11 rebounds and four steals in the losing effort against the Aces.