Before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday evening, the San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to some of the best players who have ever stepped on the floor during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
Especially after the pathetic weight room originally provided to the NCAA women’s teams and all of the other ways the NCAA has failed its women’s tournament, it was refreshing to see such support from such a respected NBA team.
Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray got things started with a hat tip to his assistant coach, Becky Hammon, who is a legend both on and off the floor.
Hammon, who has been an assistant for San Antonio since 2014, was once one of the best college basketball players in the nation. She ran point for the Colorado State Rams from 1995 until 1999, leading her mid-major squad to the Sweet Sixteen.
March Madness is in San Antonio so you know our guys had to rep 🔥 pic.twitter.com/napskp5OgD
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 22, 2021
Spurs veteran DeMar DeRozan entered the arena wearing a Cheryl Miller jersey.
Miller, like DeRozan, played college basketball for the USC Trojans from 1982 until 1986. She won Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year during three consecutive seasons, securing national championships in 1986 and 1987 as well.
Her jersey number, No. 31, is retired by the University of Southern California.
USC alum @DeMar_DeRozan rocking a Cheryl Miller jersey tonight! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nh69Tnqdqr
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) March 23, 2021
Rudy Gay was rocking a jersey from Rebecca Lobo, who is celebrated as one of the most decorated athletes in the history of UCONN’s prestigious women’s basketball program.
Lobo helped lead the team to an undefeated record and a national title in 1995. It was only the second time that a women’s team ran the table for an entire season.
Rudy Gay reppin' Rebecca Lobo today https://t.co/vfQjgepcJX
— Daniel Connolly (@DanielVConnolly) March 23, 2021
Of course, NBA veteran guard Patty Mills had to show some love to his wife, former Saint Mary’s wing Alyssa Levesque.
Mills, who is one of many Australian basketball players who have attended Saint Mary’s in California, met Alyssa when they were both in college in the late 2000s.
They were married in July 2019 and reportedly have a pretty cute pre-game coffee routine scheduled for whenever the Spurs play in San Antonio.
Yes Patty! #womenballtoo https://t.co/FdcDNOZeHc
— Saint Mary's Women's Basketball (@GaelsWBB) March 23, 2021
