Becky Hammon: traitor to the USA basketball team?
Becky Hammon grew up in the Midwest, where American values and patriotism run high. She plays guard for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars, and at the ripe old age of thirty one years old, is still chasing her dream.
In her off season, she plays for a professional basketball team in Moscow, Russia. So far, no big deal. Because she has worked over in Russia for an extended amount of time, she was given citizenship status. And here is where it starts to get a little murky.
Becky's dream has always been to play in the Olympics. At her age, she knows Beijing is her last shot at that dream. So when Russia asked her to be a member of their National Basketball team and represent them in the Olympics, she said yes.
She was asked to try out for the US team after she said yes to the Russians and their seven figure contract, but has made the decision to play point guard for the Russians.
Keep in mind, she speaks little Russian and has no Russian in her bloodlines. She is 100% American, a native of Rapid City, South Dakota and a Colorado State graduate. her basketball jersey is the #2 selling jersey, right behind Lisa Leslie's jersey.
Anne Donovan, the coach of the women's basketball team, has called her a "traitor."
Sue Bird added, ""When you walk into that stadium, it really, really hits you. There is something to be said for representing your country and going over there and competing against other countries' best."
Hammon will be marching into Beijing donning a Russian uniform and marching behind a Russian flag, all of which doesn't sit well with many Americans. Keep in mind, J.R. Holden, an American, will be playing on the Russian's basketball team in Beijing-he plays for a professional basketball team in Russia.
I would have tried out for the USA team before accepting to play for Russia.
I wonder what people would have said is Kobe had pull soething like this.