The NBA continues to break down barriers. First the league became the first to have an openly gay player with Jason Collins signing to the Nets last February. Now a move that advances it on the gender front. Former WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon will join the San Antonio Spurs as the first female assistant coach in the NBA.
Six-time WNBA All-Star thus becomes first female assistant coach in the NBA. Becky Hammon to meet local press in San Antonio this afternoon
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 5, 2014
Before Becky, in 2011, Nancy Liebreman became the first female head coach in the D League for the Mavs affiliate, The Texas Legends.
**UPDATE**
I received some feedback with people asking about Lisa Boyer who held a volunteer position with the Cleveland Cavs during the 2002 season on John Lucas’s staff. Lisa didn’t travel, couldn’t sit on the actual bench and wasn’t paid. That’s the difference between the two scenarios in my opinion. We also can’t forget about Stephanie Ready. Back in 2001 she was named as an Assistant coach for the Greenville Groove in the NBDL.
