SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon has emerged as a leading candidate for the women’s head basketball coaching position at the University of Florida, according to SwishAppeal.com, an SB Nation website.
Mike Robinson reports Hammon is one of three finalists for the Florida head coaching vacancy and will visit with university officials in Gainesville sometime this week. Robinson said Hammon is at the top of the university’s list.
Recommended Videos
Hammon was hired by Spurs GM RC Buford and head coach Gregg Popovich as an assistant coach in August 2014.
She became the the first full-time, salaried female coach in NBA history.
The Spurs announced in July 2015 that Hammon would be the head coach for San Antonio’s Summer League team, making her the first ever female head coach in the NBA Summer League.
She led the Spurs to the Las Vegas Summer League title that month, and helped develop Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons, two players who are currently on the Spurs roster.
Hammon’s playing career is filled with numerous accolades and accomplishments.
She played in the WNBA for 16 years, eight of those with the San Antonio Stars.
She was named a WNBA All-Star six times, made the All-WNBA first or second team four times and her jersey No. 25 was retired by the Stars.
Florida's hiring of Hammon would be a major acquisition for the university.
She is well regarded and respected and would have an immediate impact in recruiting in the Southeastern Conference.
Florida fired Amanda Butler after the Gators went 15-16 this season.
Read more: http://bit.ly/2o7r4BY