The Las Vegas Aces traded two-time Sixth Player of the Year Dearica Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks, the team announced Saturday.
The Sparks are sending center Amanda Zahui B. to the Aces. The teams also will trade 2024 draft picks, with the Aces trading their first-round pick and receiving the Sparks’ second-round pick.
The first-round pick of the Aces franchise in 2015, Hamby has spent her entire eight-year career with the team. She joined the franchise in its move from San Antonio to Las Vegas in 2018, and she was named an All-Star for the second straight season in 2022.
The 6-foot-3 forward also helped clinch the first WNBA title in franchise history in 2022. During the championship parade, she revealed that she was pregnant with her second child.
8 seasons, back-to-back 6th Woman of the Year Awards, 2 All-Stars, a Commissioner's Cup Championship, and our first @WNBA Title.Thank you, @dearicamarie. pic.twitter.com/U7u3yvOLmY— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) January 21, 2023
8 seasons, back-to-back 6th Woman of the Year Awards, 2 All-Stars, a Commissioner's Cup Championship, and our first @WNBA Title.Thank you, @dearicamarie. pic.twitter.com/U7u3yvOLmY
Ahead of the 2022 season, Hamby had signed a two-year contract extension with the Aces.
“I’m blessed,” Hamby said at the time. “What we’ve been building in Las Vegas is incredibly special, and I’m excited to continue to be a part of it.”
More recently, Hamby tweeted about being a member of the WNBA while pregnant.
“Imagine expressing your fears as a woman and being pregnant in this profession/world…. Then to be reassured that you were supported.. and your back was “had”…. only to then be used against you,” she wrote.
Imagine expressing your fears as a woman and being pregnant in this profession/world…. Then to be reassured that you were supported.. and your back was “had”…. only to then be used against you. Lmao— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) January 15, 2023
Imagine expressing your fears as a woman and being pregnant in this profession/world…. Then to be reassured that you were supported.. and your back was “had”…. only to then be used against you. Lmao
On Saturday, Hamby addressed the trade in a tweet.
“Thankful for the love!!!” she wrote. “The best is yet to come! Looking forward to being in LA and can’t wait to get back on the court.”
💜💛😏 Thankful for the love!!! The best is yet to come! Looking forward to being in LA and can’t wait to get back on the court 🥰 https://t.co/e2MGhWVdWe— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) January 21, 2023
💜💛😏 Thankful for the love!!! The best is yet to come! Looking forward to being in LA and can’t wait to get back on the court 🥰 https://t.co/e2MGhWVdWe
In a statement, Aces’ general manager Natalie Williams said Hamby played a “big role” in the team’s success.
“Dearica has dedicated eight years of her career to this organization, and played a big role in our success since the team moved to Las Vegas,” said Williams. “We’re going to miss her as a teammate, and are grateful for all of her contributions to the Aces over the years.”
Zahui B., meanwhile, did not play last season in the WNBA. She was placed on the full-season suspension list over to a limited availability due to overseas obligations.
Through seven seasons in the WNBA, Zahui B. has averaged 6.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.