Dearica Hamby reunited with the Las Vegas Aces Saturday night, the team she alleged left her traumatized by its treatment of her during her pregnancy. 

A sellout crowd of 10,191 cheered as the Aces received their championship rings from owner Mark Davis and roared endlessly as Las Vegas dismantled the Los Angeles Sparks 93-65 on Saturday night.

Despite being on the losing team Saturday night, Sparks’ Hamby was a winner in one way as she received a championship ring for the Aces’ title last season. 

The 29-year-old played for the Aces during their championship run last season before being traded to the Sparks in January. 

Hamby criticized the organization following the trade, accusing them of treating her in an ‘unprofessional and unethical way’ due to her pregnancy. 

Dearica Hamby reunited with the Las Vegas Aces Saturday to receive her championship ring

Dearica Hamby reunited with the Las Vegas Aces Saturday to receive her championship ring

Dearica Hamby reunited with the Las Vegas Aces Saturday to receive her championship ring

The former Aces player was warmly greeted by owner Mark Davis during the ceremony

The former Aces player was warmly greeted by owner Mark Davis during the ceremony

The former Aces player was warmly greeted by owner Mark Davis during the ceremony

A sellout crowd of 10,191 cheered as the Aces received their championship rings Saturday

A sellout crowd of 10,191 cheered as the Aces received their championship rings Saturday

A sellout crowd of 10,191 cheered as the Aces received their championship rings Saturday

However, she returned Saturday to a warm welcome from the fans, who gave her standing ovation as she and owner Mark Davis embraced on the court. 

‘Obviously a moment that I know I should probably be proud of and embrace,’ Hamby told The Associated Press before the game. ‘I mean, me getting a ring is special, but I´m going to do it for the fans.’ 

Saturday also marked the return of head coach Becky Hammon from her two-game suspension following an investigation by the WNBA into the Aces’ treatment of Hamby.

The championship banner was unveiled hanging next to Hammon’s retired jersey, as the players received their championship rings on the night.

‘Yeah, I didn´t even know though they were going to hang it right there, but I will say it looks very lovely next to it,’ Hammon said of the banner and her jersey. ‘They need some neighbors though. Some other jerseys will be up there eventually, I know.

‘And championship vendors, hopefully. Hopefully.’

Hamby alleged on social media in January that she was ‘traumatized’ by the ‘unprofessional and unethical way’ she was treated after she announced her pregnancy and subsequent trade to the Los Angeles Sparks. 

Following an investigation the WNBA stripped the Aves of their 2025 first-round pick and suspended head coach Hammon 

It comes after Hamby accused the team of 'traumatizing' treatment during her pregnancy

It comes after Hamby accused the team of 'traumatizing' treatment during her pregnancy

It comes after Hamby accused the team of ‘traumatizing’ treatment during her pregnancy

Coach Becky Hammon returned from a two-game suspension after a WNBA investigation

Coach Becky Hammon returned from a two-game suspension after a WNBA investigation

Coach Becky Hammon returned from a two-game suspension after a WNBA investigation 

Hammon embraced Davis as the championship banner was unveiled next to her retired jersey

Hammon embraced Davis as the championship banner was unveiled next to her retired jersey

Hammon embraced Davis as the championship banner was unveiled next to her retired jersey

Comments head coach Hammon made to Hamby in connection to the player’s pregnancy violated the WNBA’s Respect in the Workplace policy, according to the league.

The league also found that the organization had violated the policies in regards to promises of impermissible benefits during contract extension negotiations for former Dearica Hamby.

The investigation was triggered by a report that claimed the Aces were offering under-the-table payments to current players and free agents they were trying to sign.

Hammon and the Aces have denied the allegations. 

The WNBA Players Association said that it would continue to support Hamby as she considers the league’s ‘decision and explores all available remedies.’

Hamby was traded in the offseason on January 21 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Aces were trying to clear up salary-cap room to sign two-time MVP Candace Parker, who agreed to a deal January 28.

She publicly made her allegations against the Aces following the move, accusing the front office of trading her because they feared she would ‘get pregnant again’.

Hamby, who was pregnant with her second child, claimed her former organization treated her in an ‘unprofessional and unethical way that … has been traumatizing’ due to her pregnancy.

Hamby claimed that her former organization treated her in an 'unprofessional and unethical way that ... has been traumatizing' due to her pregnancy

Hamby claimed that her former organization treated her in an 'unprofessional and unethical way that ... has been traumatizing' due to her pregnancy

Hamby claimed that her former organization treated her in an ‘unprofessional and unethical way that … has been traumatizing’ due to her pregnancy

Hamby claimed that she was traded by the Aces because they feared she'd get pregnant again

Hamby claimed that she was traded by the Aces because they feared she'd get pregnant again

Hamby claimed that she was traded by the Aces because they feared she’d get pregnant again

At the time, she did not specify in her allegations which member of the organization made the disparaging comments. 

Hamby agreed to a two-year contract extension with Las Vegas in June. After she was traded, she posted on Instagram: ‘Being traded is a part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not.’

The WNBA launched an investigation into Hamby’s allegations, which included interviews with 33 people and a review of numerous texts, emails and documents, the league said. 

‘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 in a statement. 

Hamby was pregnant with her second child during at the time (pictured with daughter Amaya)

Hamby was pregnant with her second child during at the time (pictured with daughter Amaya)

Hamby was pregnant with her second child during at the time (pictured with daughter Amaya)

Hamby's daughter Amaya accompanied her in the bubble during the 2020 Covid-hit season

Hamby's daughter Amaya accompanied her in the bubble during the 2020 Covid-hit season

Hamby’s daughter Amaya accompanied her in the bubble during the 2020 Covid-hit season

‘The Aces failed to adhere to league rules and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly. We are also disheartened by the violation of our Respect in the Workplace policies and remain committed to ensuring that enhanced training is conducted and standards are followed across all WNBA teams.’ 

Hamby announced at the Aces’ championship parade last September that she was expecting her second child. Hamby’s 5-year-old daughter Amaya accompanied her mother during the 2020 season, which was played in a bubble in Florida because of the pandemic. They were among those featured in the documentary ‘144.’ 

Hamby spent her first eight WNBA seasons with the same franchise, dating to the Aces’ days in San Antonio as the Silver Stars. The 6-foot-3 forward was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft.

Hamby was the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2019 and 2020. Hamby averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Aces last season when they won their first WNBA championship. She was limited in the playoffs due to a knee injury.

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