It's a very difficult job and I don't blame them for their decision. This is just a great opportunity for me to play in the Olympics and hopefully break some stereotypes, both here and over there. Hammon has no ancestral ties to Russia, but under Russian league rules, she was able to obtain a passport and become a naturalized citizen because she had never appeared for another country in a FIBA-sanctioned event.
In other words, she was still eligible to compete for Russia internationally. Obtaining an international passport can be a lucrative endeavor for some women's basketball players, as several international leagues have a limit on the number of Americans who can play on one team.
A talented U. Cound said Hammon's papers were approved quickly by the highest levels of the Russian government, just as they were for former Bucknell guard J.
Holden, who hit the game-winning shot last summer to help Russia win the Eurobasket Championships. Holden, too, will compete for Russia in Beijing. It comes down to a simple question: What does winning a gold medal mean if it's an American who wins it for you? What might make Hammon's decision an eye-opener in this country is that -- in addition to her scrappy point-guard play -- her popularity stems partly from the perception that she is the ultimate small-town all-American girl: blond hair, ponytail and near perfect smile.
And now the all-American girl will suit up for Russia, which could knock a dent into that image. The decision wasn't easy. Hammon said she has struggled with it since last October, absorbing the advice of everyone from current and former coaches to friends, fellow players and, of course, her parents. US basketball player swaps homeland for Russia in bid for Olympic glory.
Becky Hammon gets ready to head into the London quarter-finals with Russia despite no family ties to the country. Russia's Becky Hammon goes for the ball in a London basketball game against Canada.
Hammon is completing a dream by playing in the Olympics, but will she feel the same fulfillment as she would by playing for her own country? Perhaps she will. Perhaps she won't. She'll find out. For now, everyone is satisfied. Hammon is in the Olympics, and the U.
That's what the whole sporting thing is about, isn't it? Meanwhile, Taurasi has a simpler view of Hammon's nationality: "All I know is that when she steps on the court, she's Russian. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. Caple: Why Becky Hammon isn't a traitor. Best moments of the NYC Marathon. Why the 2, miles she'll run are only a footnote in this Guinness World Record bid. Gymnast Lee says she was target of racist attack.
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She is a rising star in the WNBA at the top of her game, but apparently that's not good enough to earn a spot on the USA squad as it readies itself for Beijing in August. Some have gone as far as calling her a "traitor," because she claims that she has nothing but love for America and yet she'll suit up for Russia. There's one problem with calling her a traitor; Hammon can't be a traitor to America if America left her off the Team USA roster to begin with.
Seeing as how she plays for a team in Moscow in the WNBA's off season, and has been given Russian citizenship, Hammon accepted Russia's offer to represent their national team in Beijing. As they say, "too little, too late. Hammon did nothing illegal here, people.
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