When the WNBA Finals start on Friday, Las Vegas Aces’ coach Becky Hammon and Phoenix Mercury’s coach Nate Tibbets will be on opposite sides, but they share a common background of growing up in South Dakota.
Hammon highlighted the strong basketball culture in South Dakota, mentioning notable athletes like Mike Miller, Eric Piatkowski, and Mark Ellis. She recalled playing against a team coached by Tibbets’ father, Fred, who was a highly successful high school coach with a record of 111 consecutive wins in the state.
Despite being the same age, Hammon and Tibbets only became acquainted when both became NBA assistant coaches, with Hammon at the Spurs and Tibbets with the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, and Magic.
During the COVID-impacted season held in a bubble in Florida, the two South Dakotans bonded over pickleball games while staying in the same hotel.
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“When I joined the league, we shared an agent, so I reached out to her, and she’s been incredibly supportive ever since I started this job,” Tibbets shared. “South Dakota is a unique place where people genuinely support each other.”
Here are some key points to consider ahead of the Finals.
Historical Opportunities
The Aces have the chance to clinch their third title in four years, a feat achieved only by the Houston Comets who won the first four championships from 1997-2000.
Hammon remains focused on the present but acknowledged the shared elite status with her team.
“We both have the potential to be first-ballot Hall of Famers, showcasing elite dominance,” she remarked.
A’ja Wilson, the league’s first four-time MVP, and Chelsea Gray are on track for potential Hall of Fame careers. The Comets boasted Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson, all Hall of Famers.
Rematch for Thomas and Wilson
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner previously faced the Aces in the WNBA Finals as members of the Connecticut Sun, with Las Vegas winning in four games in 2022.</p