A WNBA "traitor"?

[Breaker_Morant]

Becky Hammon is a popular player in the WNBA. The agile point guard was born and bred in the U.S.A., but last year she signed a four-year contract to play for a professional team in Russia. Athletes jump borders all the time, so no big deal, right? Sure—until the Olympics sweeps across the world stage. Now, word is out that the one-time South Dakota Miss Basketball will be representing Team Russia in the 2008 Olympic Games, and a U.S. coach has called her a "traitor."​

I have to agree - I can't think of his name, Yaoo, Yan - the 7ft Chinese guy. He played for China while still in the NBA. I can't balme her for following the dollar bills (rubles) but unless she emigrates to the Rodina, I can't understand why she'd not want to play for Team USA (unless perhaps she knows she wouldn't make the cut).

 

[WriterDom]

They gave her citizenship. Sounds like she did it out of spite since the Americans didn't pick her. It's not something I'd do but I'm not going to get too upset about it. I hope she gets a few elbows in the ribs though.

 

[ttvttp]

I say she should go for it and I like it. There are many players who play in the world cup who have nothing to do with that country who play for that country. A Brazilian plays in the euros a european team and has nothing to do with that country other than obtaining citizenship. So im glad she found a way to play.

 

[the captians wench]

Russia isn't a dual citizenship country is it? If they gave her citizenship and it's not one of the I think 7 countries that allow dual citizenship then she would have had to give up her us citizenship and there for would not be qualified to play for the US team....right? You have to be a citizen of that country. Unless they gave her specail privliages and let her keep her US status......just gussing here, don't follow basketball too much anymore.

 

[Netzach]

Dude, she's moving to Russia. Clearly punishment enough. I think I'd rather go to Burkina Faso than Moscow, but hey, whatever.

 

[trisquel_astur]

Russia isn't a dual citizenship country is it? If they gave her citizenship and it's not one of the I think 7 countries that allow dual citizenship then she would have had to give up her us citizenship and there for would not be qualified to play for the US team....right? You have to be a citizen of that country. Unless they gave her specail privliages and let her keep her US status......just gussing here, don't follow basketball too much anymore.

Russia don't have dual citizenship... with USA.

Dude, she's moving to Russia. Clearly punishment enough. I think I'd rather go to Burkina Faso than Moscow, but hey, whatever.

I love Moscow, it's a very nice city and full of culture and of history, but Sant Petersbourgh is still better.


Nobody told about J.R. Holden, the point guard of Russia in the last european basketball champ.

Or about Ricky Winslow:
* High School: Yates (Houston)
* Baloncesto universitario: Houston University (1983-84 a 1986-87)
* Milwaukee Bucks: 7 partidos 1987-88
* Estudiantes: 1988-1989 a 1992-93
* Cantú (Italia), 1993
* Pau Orthez (Francia): 1994-95
* CAI Zaragoza: 1995-96
* Turk Ankara (Turquía): 1996-97 a 1997-98
* Ulker (Turquía): 1998-99
* Efes Pilsen (Turquía): 1990-2000
Now with Turkish citizenship and a new name: Resat Firincioglu.