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Aces docked 2025 1st-rounder, Hammon suspended 2 games for policy violations

Jeff Bottari / National Basketball Association / Getty

The WNBA rescinded the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick for "violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits" during negotiations for an extension with former player Dearica Hamby, it announced Tuesday.

The league also suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games without pay for violating league and team policies.

Hammon was found to have made comments to Hamby about the forward's pregnancy that violated the "Respect in the Workplace" policy.

"It is critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.

"(We) remain committed to ensuring that enhanced training is conducted and standards are followed across all WNBA teams," she added.

The Women's National Basketball Players Association addressed the ruling following the league's announcement, saying the punishment "misses the mark."

"Where in this decision does this team or any other team across the league learn the lesson that respect in the workplace is the highest standard and a player's dignity cannot be manipulated?" the union asked in its statement.

In a January post on Instagram, Hamby said the Aces attacked her character and work ethic and bullied and discriminated against her due to her pregnancy.

Hamby agreed to a contract extension with the team last June. She said in her post that Aces management falsely accused her of knowing she was pregnant at the time of the deal.

"I remained transparent with everyone within the organization, and yet my honesty was met with coldness, disrespect, and disregard from members of management," the two-time All-Star wrote.

The Aces traded Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks on Jan. 21 in a package for the rights to center Amanda Zahui B. and a 2024 second-round pick.

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