Hammon among finalists for coach job

Becky Hammon is already making history — and more could be on the way.

Hammon, an assistant on the Spurs’ coaching staff, is reportedly a finalist for the Trail Blazers’ head-coaching job. She will have a second interview for the position this week, becoming the first woman to enter the final stages of an NBA coaching search.

Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups will also receive a second interview in the upcoming days. But, according to SportsBusinessRadio, if Trail Blazers owner Jody Allen has her way, Hammon will soon be Portland’s next head coach.

Hammon became the first full-time female assistant coach when the Spurs hired her in 2014. In December, she became the first woman to coach an NBA team after she took over for head coach

Gregg Popovich, who had been ejected.

Hammon’s name has been a popular choice in this year’s NBA coaching carousel. She is speculated to be a potential option to replace Brad Stevens in Boston and also interviewed for Orlando’s headcoaching position last week.

Though she would be a first-time head coach, Hammon is not without coaching experience at the NBA level. Hammon coached the Spurs’ summer league team in 2015, 2016 and 2019, leading it to a championship in her first goaround.

Portland’s head coaching vacancy comes after the franchise parted ways with Terry Stotts earlier this month, following the team’s first-round playoff exit. In nine seasons, Stotts led Portland to eight playoff berths, though only once did the Trail Blazers advance to the Western Conference finals.