Becky Hammon officially named coach of Las Vegas Aces; Gregg Popovich says she has all tools to succeed

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has watched Becky Hammon’s growth on the sideline the past eight NBA seasons.

With Hammon officially becoming a head coach for the first time Friday, taking over the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, Popovich said it’s time for her to write this new chapter in her basketball career.

“It always changes when you move over one seat,” Popovich said Friday of Hammon, who began as a Spurs assistant in the fall of 2014 after retiring as a WNBA player. “Nobody knows what the future is going to be. But she has all the attributes to be a heck of a head coach. She’s been important to our program from Day 1 when I brought her on board.

“She’s interviewed for a few jobs in the NBA, and she would have been more than qualified and done a great job, but it didn’t work out. That happens to everybody who’s out there interviewing. You don’t get what you want right off the bat.”

In a statement released by the Aces, Hammon called the chance to be back in the league where she spent 16 seasons as a player a great opportunity.

“This is where I come from, and I wouldn’t be me without the W,” Hammon said. “I’m thrilled to be able to give back and lead this next group of women.”

Hammon played eight seasons with the San Antonio Stars, but the franchise moved to Las Vegas for the 2018 season and became the Aces. Raiders owner Mark Davis purchased the Aces in January, and he got to spend time with Hammon and her family in September when Las Vegas retired her jersey.

“This is an exciting day for the Aces organization,” Davis said in the Aces’ statement. “From the moment I met Becky Hammon, I was hopeful that one day she would rejoin the family. I just never imagined it would happen this soon.”

Hammon, who plans to continue working for the Spurs for…