Via Yahoo Sports

One name gathering attention on the list of initial candidates is current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. She led the Aces to their first WNBA championship in 2022 during her first season as head coach, after eight seasons as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon has been connected to several head coaching positions in the NBA over the past few years, but ultimately signed with the WNBA franchise she played with (the Aces were formerly the San Antonio Stars) ahead of the 2022 WNBA season.

Another name that has been tossed around has been Vanderbilt University head coach and former Raptors assistant Jerry Stackhouse, but he was not included in Wojnarowski’s report.

In his end of season press conference last week, Raptors president Masai Ujiri told the media that they would like to have a head coach hired before the upcoming NBA Draft in June. They plan to take their time and thoroughly explore their options before making a decision.

Becky Hammond, a former WNBA player and current coach of the year in the WNBA , is reportedly a leading candidate for the Toronto Raptors’ head coaching position. If she is ultimately hired, Hammond would make history as the first female head coach in the NBA. Hammond’s qualifications for the job are impressive. She has been an assistant coach for the Spurs since 2014 and has helped lead the team to four NBA championships. In addition, she was a six-time WNBA All-Star during her playing career and has been praised by coaches and players alike for her basketball IQ and coaching abilities. She recently won coach of the year in the WNBA.

However, despite her qualifications, there may still be challenges that Hammond could face as the first female head coach in the NBA. She may have to overcome bias and stereotypes about women in leadership positions, and some players and fans may not be receptive to a female coach.

But despite these potential obstacles, hiring Hammond would be a significant moment for the NBA and for gender equality in sports. Women have long been underrepresented in coaching and leadership positions in professional sports, and Hammond’s hiring would serve as a powerful symbol of progress.

Moreover, Hammond’s success as a coach could help pave the way for other women to enter coaching and leadership roles in the NBA and beyond. By breaking through the gender barrier in the NBA, Hammond could inspire a new generation of female coaches and leaders and help create a more inclusive and diverse sports industry.

In addition to the historical significance of hiring Hammond, there are also practical reasons why she would be a good fit for the Raptors. The team is in need of a new direction after a disappointing season, and Hammond’s coaching style and basketball expertise could help them rebound.

Overall, the potential hiring of Becky Hammond as the NBA’s first female head coach is a major development in the world of sports. It remains to be seen if she will ultimately get the job, but her candidacy alone is a step forward for gender equality and a sign of progress in the sports industry.