Dearica Hamby files discrimination lawsuit against Aces

Months after an investigation by the WNBA into her allegations of retaliation by the Las Vegas Aces due to her pregnancy, former Aces star Dearica Hamby has taken legal action against the team, filing a discrimination lawsuit with similar claims.

According to the recently obtained lawsuit filed last month and reported by ESPN, Hamby, now a player for the Los Angeles Sparks, alleges that Aces’ head coach Becky Hammon accused her of signing a two-year extension with the team last year despite knowing about her pregnancy. Hamby further claims that the team then retaliated against her, creating an unreasonably abusive and hostile work environment. She also states that the team encouraged her to avoid getting pregnant “in the next two years.”

Earlier this year, the WNBA conducted an investigation into Hamby’s allegations, resulting in a two-game suspension for Hammon and the loss of a future draft pick for the team.

In May, Hammon denied the claims made by Hamby, asserting that the decision to trade her to the Sparks, where she now plays, was in the best interests of the team. The Aces are set to face the New York Liberty in the upcoming WNBA Finals.

“[Hamby’s pregnancy] wasn’t a problem, and it never was why we made the decision,” Hammon stated. “We made the decision to move Hamby because we could get three bodies in her one contract, and we wanted to get three more people in. I think it’s very evident [with] who we signed on why we made the move.

“It came down to math in business. That’s all it was. Nothing personal. I had a great relationship with Hamby the whole time. Which is why she probably felt the way she did. You know, it feels like a betrayal. But like I said, it’s a crappy part of my job, but somebody’s got to be the bearer of bad news.”