WNBA All-Star guard Dearica Hamby was recently traded from the Las Vegas Aces to the Los Angeles Sparks, and it sounds like she is not happy with how it all went down, launching some pretty horrible accusations against her former team.
In a social media post, Dearica Hamby claimed that the Aces questioned her commitment to the team when she got pregnant, saying that she was “lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated against.”
On her IG, Dearica Hamby details her experiences leading up to her trade away from Las Vegas. Far too often, women are asked to compromise their desire to be a parent in favor of their career. While winning is a business in the W, these athletes — humans! — should find support. pic.twitter.com/td24m76bkW
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) January 21, 2023
“Being traded is a part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated against is not,” the post read. “I have had my character and work ethic attacked. I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that were not followed through on. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. This is false. I was told I was a ‘question mark’ and that it was set that I would ‘get pregnant again’ and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team. I was told that ‘I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain’ (Because ‘no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years’). Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for the contract extension? I was asked if I planned my pregnancy.
“When I responded, ‘no,’ I was then told that I ‘was not taking precautions to not get pregnant.’ I was being traded because ‘I wouldn’t be ready and we need bodies.’ I planned to play this season, and I have expressed my desire to play this season. I have pushed myself throughout my entire pregnancy and have continued to workout (basketball included) on my own and with team staff – even on days where it was uncomfortable to walk, only to be inaccurately told that ‘I was not taking my workouts seriously.’”
Hamby was particularly upset to be treated that way by fellow women.
“To be treated this way by an organization, BY WOMEN who are mothers, who have claimed to ‘be in these shoes,’ who preach family, chemistry and women’s empowerment is disappointing and leaves me sick to my stomach,” she said. “We fought for provisions that would finally support and protect player parents. This cannot now be used against me.”
The Aces did not immediately comment on Hamby’s post.
