Former Las Vegas Aces star Dearica Hamby, recently filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Aces organization. The purpose of this ordeal seems to remain unknown, however very surprising considering Hamby’s position in the organizations championship the previous year. Dearica Hamby (30) was with the Aces franchise for several years, starting in 2015- 2023.
However, the majority of this animosity transpired in late January 2023 when Hamby was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, for whom she currently plays. Hours after being traded, Hamby accused her team of being ‘unprofessional and unethical’. As time went on, Hamby shared her opinions on not only the treatment she was receiving from her teammates but the organization as well. During the pregnancy of her second child, Hamby was left traumatized as a result of the organization’s behavior. After being one of the core members of the Aces 2022 championship squad, this situation is just as surprising as it is for her. While celebrating their championship during their victory parade, Hamby worked out with the team’s staff throughout her pregnancy; she claims that she was told that she was not “taking her workouts seriously,” announced her second pregnancy, and expressed that she planned on playing in the 2023 season. Although she was working out with the team’s staff throughout her pregnancy, she claims that she was told that she was not “taking her workouts seriously,” as well as they didn’t think that she would be ready to play for them in the upcoming 2023 season. Hamby also expresses that her character and work ethic were being attacked. Now, the head coach for the Aces, Becky Hammon, accused Hamby of signing a 2-year extension knowing she was pregnant. Afterward, Hamby claims that the team began to retaliate against her, causing the work environment to be “abusive” and “hostile”.
Two attributes that an athlete never wants to hear about, let alone be a part of. Therefore, the behavior she was receiving was extremely surprising and disappointing, to say the least. Another claim was made that the Aces organization told Hamby that she should “avoid getting pregnant in the next two years.” In a recent interview with ESPN, Hamby stated, “ I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that was not followed through. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. This is false. I was told that I was a ‘question mark’ and that I said I ‘wouldn’t get pregnant again’ and that there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team.” Hamby continued to express her heavy concerns for the future of this league. A place of females who have worked very hard to obtain the positions they have in a male-dominated sport disappointed her. She felt as though she was being punished for having an unplanned pregnancy.
After many months, a lawsuit was filed against the Aces organization in September of 2023, 9 months after the initial situation had happened. As a result, the WNBA investigated these claims, which led to Aces HC Becky Hammon being suspended for two games and losing a first-round pick. Admits the turmoil, Hamby found a silver lining with the birth of her healthy baby boy, Legend, in March of 2023.
