Sparks' Dearica Hamby gets title ring, ovation at Aces' ceremony - ESPN

With coach head coach Becky Hammon on the sideline for the first time this season, the Las Vegas Aces received their 2022 WNBA championship rings Saturday. So did former Aces player Dearica Hamby, who was traded in January to the Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas' opponent Saturday.

Hamby criticized the Aces after the trade, accusing them of treating her in an «unprofessional and unethical way» due to her pregnancy and not following through on promises that were made to her when she signed a contract extension during the 2022 season. The Aces have denied mistreating Hamby.

But after an investigation, the WNBA on May 16 imposed penalties on Hammon and the Aces for violating the league's Respect in the Workplace policy and impermissible player benefits regarding Hamby. Hammon was suspended two games, and the Aces were stripped of a 2025 first-round draft pick.

Saturday, the crowd at Las Vegas' Michelob Ultra Arena gave a warm ovation to Hamby when she was presented her ring and received a hug from both WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Aces owner Mark Davis. Hamby played for Las Vegas from 2018-22, and the three years before that she was with the San Antonio Stars, who became the Aces when they moved to Las Vegas.

«I feel like it was a great moment for her to have, a great moment for us to share with her,» Aces star A'ja Wilson said of Hamby being presented the ring. «We don't win the ring without [Dearica]. So it's very great she could have that moment and share it with her two children and her mom and her sister there. And it was really good to see her.»

The Aces had previously faced Hamby and the Sparks on Thursday in Los Angeles. In that game, assistant Natalie Nakase filled in for Hammon as head coach, while Aces