Popovich on promoting Hammon: 'She's a special, special woman'

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn't believe gender is an indicator of one's ability to coach in the National Basketball Association.

Becky Hammon, who Popovich described as a "special, special woman" Friday at Team USA minicamp, is the first female to serve as a full-time assistant in the NBA.

"She knows her stuff," said Popovich, according to My San Antonio's Tom Orsborn. "She's confident. The he-she thing doesn't fit at all. She's a coach, and just happens to be a she. That's it. If it was a he, and more qualified, I would have hired a he. But this she was qualified, and that's who I wanted."

With James Borrego departing to fill the coaching vacancy with the Charlotte Hornets, Hammon's promotion last month filled his slot and moves her to the front of the bench to sit alongside Popovich.

She was also in the running for the Milwaukee Bucks' head coaching position in May, making her the first woman in league history to interview for such a role.

Popovich thinks it's only a matter of time before more females start occupying NBA benches.

"I hope that other people follow the example and just look at who is qualified, who can do it, who would be respected," he said. "Everyone can't do what Becky is doing. She is very special. But there are other special women out there too who can do it, so hopefully other people will figure that out."

Hammon spent 16 years competing in the WNBA and currently ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list. She was hired by San Antonio in 2014 and coached its summer league team to a 2015 title.