Becky Hammon stands by comments on small guards, calls Brunson an outlier
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 23, 2026, 10:32 PM
Last updated Jun 23, 2026
Aces coach Becky Hammon highlighted the unique skill of Knicks star Jalen Brunson during a press conference on June 23, stating that he has positioned himself as an exceptional player in the league. However, Hammon maintained her view that small guards generally struggle to lead teams to NBA championships, reflecting on the challenges smaller players face in the league. Her comments come amid ongoing discussions about the impact and roles of different player sizes in basketball. This sentiment adds to the conversation about evolving player dynamics in the NBA.
- •Hammon acknowledges Brunson as a unique class of player.
- •She reiterates skepticism about small guards leading to championships.
- •Comments made during a press event on June 23.
- •Discussion reflects ongoing trends in player evaluation within the league.
- 1:44 PMThe Guardian Sport — Hammon acknowledges Brunson’s greatness but won’t apologize for questioning star
- 1:37 AMESPN — Hammon won't apologize, says Brunson 'outlier'
- 9:44 PMYahoo Sports — Becky Hammon hails Jalen Brunson as an NBA outlier and stands by her small-guard take
"Las Vegas Aces coach had said guard was not a ‘1A dude’ Hammon says Brunson ‘proved history wrong’ Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon twice on Tuesday acknowledged what Jalen Brunson accomplished in leading the New York Knicks to the NBA championship was historic and her “opinion was wrong,” but she offered no apology for her previous comments. Hammon spoke to reporters at the Aces shootaround earlier in the day and then before Las Vegas’ home game against the New York Liberty. In the pregame news conference, Hammon opened by making a point to say she was wrong that the 6ft 2in point guard was too small to lead the Knicks to the title. Continue reading...
"Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon acknowledged Tuesday that New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has put himself in a unique class of players, but didn't back off her general stance that small guards generally don't lead teams to NBA championships. Brunson, listed at 6-foot-2, just did that in earning NBA Finals MVP after guiding the Knicks to a five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon made her original comments on ESPN in December 2023, saying Brunson wasn't a “1A dude.”
"Aces coach Becky Hammon had a change of heart regarding her prior criticism of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, saying on Tuesday night that her "opinion was wrong."
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJun 24, 2026, 1:44 PMHammon acknowledges Brunson’s greatness but won’t apologize for questioning star
Las Vegas Aces coach had said guard was not a ‘1A dude’ Hammon says Brunson ‘proved history wrong’ Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon twice on Tuesday acknowledged what Jalen Brunson accomplished in leading the New York Knicks to the NBA championship was historic and her “opinion was wrong,” but she offered no apology for her previous comments. Hammon spoke to reporters at the Aces shootaround earlier in the day and then before Las Vegas’ home game against the New York Liberty. In the pregame news conference, Hammon opened by making a point to say she was wrong that the 6ft 2in point guard was too small to lead the Knicks to the title. Continue reading...
- ESPNJun 24, 2026, 1:37 AMHammon won't apologize, says Brunson 'outlier'
Aces coach Becky Hammon had a change of heart regarding her prior criticism of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, saying on Tuesday night that her "opinion was wrong."
- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 9:44 PMBecky Hammon hails Jalen Brunson as an NBA outlier and stands by her small-guard take
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon acknowledged Tuesday that New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has put himself in a unique class of players, but didn't back off her general stance that small guards generally don't lead teams to NBA championships. Brunson, listed at 6-foot-2, just did that in earning NBA Finals MVP after guiding the Knicks to a five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon made her original comments on ESPN in December 2023, saying Brunson wasn't a “1A dude.”
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