There is only one player who deserves the title of the best to ever play women's basketball, and that's A'ja Wilson — if you ask the Aces' coach Becky Hammon, that is. In an interview with CNBC on November 13, Hammon stated the obvious about both Wilson and Clark, and deftly shut down conversations comparing the two (very different) athletes.
Hammon had no problem point-blank stating that she believes Wilson is "the greatest to ever play." The duo need to "win a few more championships and solidify it," Hammon added. Las Vegas' head coach added that "the numbers are going to be outrageous when she's all said and done" but that she hopes fans continue to celebrate the 4-time WNBA MVP "in the moment, while it's live in front of you" instead of reflecting back on her greatness once she's retired.
"If you get a chance to watch this woman hoop, you should take advantage of it," Hammon added, "because she's one of the most exciting players I've ever seen, male or female."
Becky Hammon also had plenty to say about Caitlin Clark
Hammon was inevitably asked about Clark, a fair question considering the young athlete's enormous impact on the league and the sport of basketball. She noted that Clark had a "tough year, obviously, with injuries this year" but insisted that she will "be a tremendous player in this league — there's no doubt about that."
Hammon also returned to her original point about Wilson and added, "A'ja Wilson is the best player on the planet, and you got the hardware and the numbers and everything to back it up." Part of Clark's power lies in "bringing in the fanfare" she added.
"She was one of the most exciting players I've ever seen on a collegiate level," Hammon continued, "and I would assume, you know, a healthy year for her, she is going to be a great pro for a long time."
Becky Hammon doesn't "need the NBA stamp of approval"
Hammon also touched on her dual experiences as an assistant coach in the NBA and a head coach in the WNBA. "I love being on the women's side. If the men's side comes back around, look, they know where I work, they know how to get a hold of me," she told CNBC. "But it's not – I don't need the NBA stamp of approval, if you will, or that affirmation from the NBA to tell me I can coach."
The most important detail, she added, is that she's fully capable of coaching athletes regardless of gender, a point that Hammon also made during a recent conversation on Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston's "Post Moves" podcast this week.