Dearica Hamby Dominates: Named Western Conference Player of the Week
By: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau
“Dearica Hamby (#5) of the Los Angeles Sparks makes a layup against NaLyssa Smith of the Indiana Fever (#1) during their game at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”
Los Angeles Sparks forward and Jordan Brand ambassador Dearica Hamby has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week for June 3 through June 9. Hamby has tripled her averages this season, and this week she continued that tear, becoming the fourth player to win the award, joining MVP candidates A’ja Wilson and Kahleah Copper.
Hamby led the Sparks to a 2-1 record this past week, including a huge win over the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces. For the week, she averaged 19.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
“Dearica Hamby (#5) of the Los Angeles Sparks drives and dribbles past defenders from the Las Vegas Aces during their game at the Crypto.com Arena.”
Hamby also shot the highest field-goal percentage among players scoring 19 points or more per game at 56.4% (22-for-39). She recorded a double-double in two of her three games and led the league in defensive rebounds per game during this period.
Hamby’s stellar performance marks her as the 63rd player from the Sparks to win this prestigious award, the last being Nneka Ogwumike on June 6, 2023.
Here’s how the top franchises stack up in Player of the Week honors:
- Los Angeles Sparks: 63
- Connecticut Sun/Orlando Miracle: 59
- Phoenix Mercury: 58
- New York Liberty: 56
“Dearica Hamby (#5) of the Los Angeles Sparks drives past Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings during their game at the Crypto.com Arena.”
In her 10th WNBA season and second with Los Angeles, Hamby has earned this award for the first time in her career. She joins a legendary list of Sparks honorees, including Tamecka Dixon, Chelsea Gray, Lisa Leslie, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Tina Thompson, and Kristi Toliver. Since being traded to the Sparks in January 2023, Hamby has started 30 games, averaging 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds, while shooting 47.2%. Her career accolades include one WNBA championship, two All-Star appearances, and two Sixth Woman of the Year awards.
As of June 9, Hamby leads the WNBA in double-doubles (nine) and defensive rebounds per game (9.6). She ranks second in rebounds per game (11.5) and three-point percentage (47.6), fourth in field-goal percentage (55.2), fifth in points per game (20.4), 11th in steals per game (1.7), and 16th in assists per contest (3.6).
