Aces’ Dearica Hamby wins WNBA’s Sixth Woman of the Year award again

Las Vegas Review-Journal

4 years ago

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) controls the ball during the first half of a WNBA bask ... — Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) controls the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) looks to pass the ball in front of Minnesota Lynx forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) looks to pass the ball up the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indiana Fever forward Candice Dupree (4) goes up against Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) shoots over Indiana Fever forward Candice Dupree (4) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby goes up for a shot during the first half of the team’s WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Las Vegas Aces’ Dearica Hamby, center, drives between Connecticut Sun’s Briann January (20) and Essence Carson during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

The Aces won two more WNBA awards, the league announced Sunday.

Dearica Hamby was named the Sixth Woman of the Year for the second straight season, and general manager Dan Padover was selected Executive of the Year.

Hamby, a 6-foot-3-inch forward, is the third player in WNBA history to win the award in back-to-back seasons, along with Allie Quigley (2014, 2015) and DeWanna Bonner (2009, 2010, 2011).

The Aces’ bench set a league record by averaging 35.0 points per game, and Hamby was the leader of that group with 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals, which tied for sixth in the league. She played 28.3 minutes per game and ranked sixth in field-goal percentage (53.9) and 3-point percentage (47.4).

Hamby set career highs in scoring, assists, steals, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage and had three 20-point games, five 10-rebound games and four double-doubles. She will receive a $5,150 bonus and a trophy designed by Tiffany & Co.

“This award means a lot,” Hamby said. “This bench, we call it the Bench Mob, was a big part of the team’s success. I wish I could share this with them. I take pride in the position I’m in because I came with the team from San Antonio, so I’ve been part of the process and seen where the team has gone and really enjoyed the transition.”

Hamby, who came off the bench in every game, received 44 of 47 votes from a national panel of sports writers and broadcasters. Los Angeles guard Riquna Williams received two votes and Phoenix Mercury guard Bria Hartley one. To be eligible, a player had to come off the bench in more games than she started.

When the Aces lost in last year’s WNBA semifinals to eventual champion Washington, Padover and coach Bill Laimbeer almost immediately began plotting the course for this season.

They spoke of needing to get deeper and particularly wanted an attacker on the wing and an energy guard. When they identified free-agent targets, Angel McCoughtry was the top attacking wing and Danielle Robinson the top energy guard.

The Aces got them both, and they were key figures in their run to an 18-4 record and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Padover received six of 11 first-place votes and 37 points from a panel of one executive from each team. Phoenix executive vice president and general manager Jim Pitman was second with four first-place votes and 32 points.

“I really respect the other 11 of my colleagues, so this means a lot,” Padover said. “And the cool thing is we have people from all different backgrounds. Some general managers are coaches, some are more on the business side and then some are just straight general managers, like myself. To think they showed me that level of respect is very much appreciated.”

Contact Jason Orts at jorts@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2936. Follow @SportsWithOrts on Twitter.