Aces’ Becky Hammon earns WNBA Coach of the Year in debut season

Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon has been named the WNBA Coach of the Year in her debut season, the league announced Friday.

Hammon becomes the third former WNBA player to earn the honor, but the first to do so in her first season.

The 45-year-old led Las Vegas to a 26-10 record and the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs. Hammon also coached the Aces to a Commissioner’s Cup championship in July and clinched a spot as an All-Star coach in a landmark season.

Add @WNBA 𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 to @BeckyHammon's debut season as Aces Head Coach!

#1 overall record
#1 in scoring & offensive efficiency
2nd best winning percentage ever by a rookie H.C.
Franchise record for wins in a season
All-Star H.C.
Commissioner's Cup Champ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9g08o0Dy7u

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 26, 2022

The rookie coach transformed the Aces into an offensive powerhouse, with Las Vegas leading the league in points per game and 3-pointers made.

Hammon joined the Aces in late December, replacing Bill Laimbeer as the team’s head coach after a 16-year playing career and a stint as an assistant for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

Next on Hammon’s to-do list: Securing a WNBA championship. The Aces are gearing up to face the Seattle Storm in the WNBA semifinals starting Sunday.