April 15, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Experience Sioux Falls.

Women’s basketball has eclipsed so many all-time records this year, thanks in large part to the Iowa Hawkeye’s Caitlin Clark and many other talented women’s college basketball stars. But it didn’t just happen overnight.

Becky Hammon was creating waves as many of the “female-firsts” in the game, which helped pave the way for the rise of women’s basketball and has built a coaching and leadership style that continues to span decades.

“Seeing what the college women’s game created this past season through television ratings and sellout crowds was incredible and simply a long time coming,” Hammon said. “It shows that people are interested in women’s sports and that the game deserves the increased exposure and recognition it is receiving.”

Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t miss hearing from Hammon at the Annual Visitor Industry Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 6, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

HER Game

South Dakota High School Gatorade Player of the Year, Colorado State All-American, Colorado Sportswoman of the Year, six-time All-Star in the WNBA and Olympian.

HER Firsts

The first woman to coach full-time in the NBA in 2014 when the San Antonio Spurs brought her into a leadership role as an assistant coach. Once again in December 2020, she made NBA history when Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of a game, and he tasked Hammon with leading the team for the rest of the game.

HER Coaching

The WNBA legend returned to the league in 2022 to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, and in 2023, she made history yet again by becoming just the third NBA or WNBA head coach to win back-to-back titles in their first two seasons as coach. The Las Vegas Aces currently draw the highest attendance in the WNBA.

HER Leadership

In her fascinating journey as an NBA trailblazer, Hammon shares vital leadership lessons for building credibility and respect. Considered an underdog for most of her career, Hammon’s tale features her rise from an undrafted rookie in the WBNA to being named one of the league’s Top 15 Players of All-Time.

HER Message

Hammon’s story is uniquely personal. She encourages audiences to pursue their dreams relentlessly, to stand up for what they believe and to hold a forward-looking vision to see every day as a gift with innumerable possibilities.

You don’t want to miss this. Click here to purchase tickets.