The WNBA rescinded the Aces’ 2025 first-round pick for impermissible player benefits and suspended coach Becky Hammon for two games for violating Respect in the Workplace policies related to comments made by Hammon to former Las Vegas player Dearica Hamby, the league said Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- After she was traded by Las Vegas to Los Angeles in January, Hamby alleged on social media and issued a formal complaint that she was traded due to her pregnancy.
- The WNBA opened an investigation after Hamby’s complaint and interviewed 33 people, it said. It also reviewed texts, emails and other documents.
- The rescinded draft pick is a penalty for promises of impermissible benefits in connection with negotiations for an extension with Hamby before she was traded.
- During the investigation, the WNBA said “several individuals raised additional concerns about the conduct of the Aces during the most recent free-agency period,” but the league was unable to substantiate any of those concerns.
- In a follow-up statement, the WNBPA said the penalties “miss the mark” and said it was “far from appropriate” that the league didn’t issue a more significant penalty for the misconduct.
The WNBA has announced it has rescinded the Aces’ 2025 first-round draft pick…
