Dearica Hamby Leads Los Angeles Sparks Towards Victory in WNBA

Dearica Hamby Leads Los Angeles Sparks Towards Victory

LOS ANGELES After the Los Angeles Sparks latest loss , Dearica Hamby and her squad huddled up right after the final buzzer . The Sparks were up double digits on the Washington Mystics , a team at the bottom of the standings , before collapsing in the fourth quarter . The postgame news conference revealed that Hamby 's response truly represents what she calls her gift patience . Even after a controversial trade to the Sparks after Hamby announced her pregnancy during the Aces championship parade in 2022 , her first season saw her playing largely behind former MVP Nneka Ogwumike and center Azur Stevens . However , Hamby bided her time , steadily improving and working on her game , and her patience paid off as she is currently averaging career highs of 18.3 points , 10.3 rebounds , and 3.7 assists a night.

One of the factors contributing to Hambys success this season is the offseason decision to participate in playing overseas . This experience gave her the confidence and mental clarity needed to take on a larger role with the Sparks . With newfound confidence , she quickly showed her capabilities by putting up impressive numbers and leading her team both on and off the court . The 10 - year WNBA veteran also took on the role of a vocal leader , especially mentoring the younger players on the team . This leadership style , combined with her nurturing nature as a mother of two , has earned her respect and admiration from her teammates and coaches.

Dearica Hamby 's Olympic Journey

Dearica Hamby 's successful season with the Los Angeles Sparks has not gone unnoticed , as she has been selected to fill a void on Team USAs womens 3x3 basketball team for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics . This opportunity comes after an unfortunate ACL injury to her teammate , Cameron Brink . Hamby , known for her remarkable career in the WNBA , is now looking to carry her momentum into her Olympic debut and help the United States secure a second - consecutive gold medal . As athletes ' participation at the Paris Games depends on their National Olympic Committees selecting them , Hamby 's selection is a testament to her skills and dedication to the sport . With her leadership abilities and perseverance , she is set to make a significant impact on the international stage.