LOS ANGELES — Sparks forward Dearica Hamby admits she might cry before Saturday’s game against the Aces in Las Vegas.
For her teammates, the game represents a quick rematch after squandering a 10-point halftime lead in a home loss to the reigning WNBA champions on Thursday.
For Hamby, it will be about significantly more. She was an All-Star for the Aces during their title run last season before being traded to the Sparks and then alleging that she had been bullied and manipulated by her former team for being pregnant. That led to a WNBA investigation and a two-game suspension for Aces coach Becky Hammon, who has denied the accusations.
On Saturday night, Hamby will receive her 2022 championship ring after helping the franchise to its first title.
“I’m probably going to cry when I pay respects to the crowd and the fans. That’s what that moment is going to be about for me,” Hamby said. “I know it’s going to be an important moment for them. I’m going to do that for them and then I’m just going to play basketball. I wasn’t super nervous (Thursday night). I thought I would be a little nervous but I just played.”
Sparks center Chiney Ogwumike said Hamby’s return to the court, less than three months after giving birth, has been an inspiration inside the Sparks’ locker room.
“To show up in this capacity against her former team and start the game the way she did, that woman is a freaking superwoman,” Ogwumike continued. “To be locked in mentally, to be present, given all that she’s gone through. My gosh, Dearica Hamby is special and to be able to play with her, knowing that if she can show up and play that hard, it’s like I can do that too.”
The motivation goes both ways.
“After each game and each practice, they come to me and motivate me and compliment me,” Hamby shared. “I’m my biggest critic and I played 27 minutes and I was 3 of 12 (shooting). I’m going to be hard on myself, but I think they’ve appreciated…
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