San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon is a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coach position, multiple outlets reported Monday. She is the first woman to reach the last group in an NBA coaching search.
Hammon, 44, joined the coach Gregg Popovich’s staff with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. On Dec. 30, she became the first woman to serve as a head coach in the NBA when she took over for Popovich after he was ejected before halftime of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
She played in the WNBA and overseas from 1999-2012.
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According to ESPN, Hammon and Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups will receive second interviews.
Others who interviewed with Portland included South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni and Brent Barry, Spurs vice president of basketball operations. Former NBA head coach Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration earlier.
Portland’s new coach will replace Terry Stotts, who parted ways with the Blazers on June 5 after the team’s fourth first-round playoff exit in five seasons.
Stotts is the second-winningest coach in Blazers history with a 402-318 mark, behind only Jack Ramsay. Stotts led Portland to eight consecutive playoff appearances in his nine seasons.
Hammon reportedly also interviewed for the Orlando Magic coaching vacancy.
–Field Level Media