The Sparks entered their final game before the All-Star break in a tough situation. Losers of four straight and with Kelsey Plum still out, where offensive production was going to come from was a big question mark.
Dearica Hamby was the answer.
She started the game against the Mercury with intentional ferocity. She went right at DeWanna Bonner in the restricted area before scoring inside again off a pick and roll.
Those opening plays weren’t just a hot start. It was an indication of Hamby’s level of play for
the entire game.
She gave a valiant effort, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Sparks’ 86-82 loss against the Mercury. The result didn’t go LA’s way, but Hamby’s effort and leadership were a bright spot. And it’s exactly what this team needs from her if they are going to have a successful end to their year.
“Dearica is who she is,” head coach Lynne Roberts said after Sparks practice on Monday. “She’s just got that high motor, and when she plays really, really hard, she is elite. The rim running, ability to finish, her footwork and hands are some of the best in the world. Her leadership style, she’s kind of the big sister vibe. Not a grab her by the collar, but you need to have those types too, just a consistent, steady human being.”
Leadership can take many forms.
Hamby is a player who wears her heart on her sleeve and leads with kindness. It’s why she is loved and respected not just by her teammates, but by the entire WNBA with her 2024 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award as proof.
“I’m kind of the emotional leader,” Hamby said. “People come to me when they have questions, or they just want to talk. I try to keep my perspective very light and open. I have kids and stuff, so my perspective is very different, maybe also Emma’s [Cannon], than everybody else in here. So I think people can appreciate that and they lean on that.”
While the vocal aspect of leadership and being a shoulder people can lean on is great, the Sparks need production. After a slow start to the season, Hamby is doing that too.
She is averaging 16.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in July. Hamby is also shooting 56.5% from the field, which is second-best on the team during this span.
“I think I’m playing more minutes these last few games,” Hamby said. “And then just coming in with high energy, high motor, and kind of demanding myself to be more aggressive. I tend to shy away a little bit this season, just because there’s so much talent on this team. Just being aggressive now.”
With the Sparks bringing back Nneka Ogwumike this year, it’s been a tough transition for Hamby alongside another ball-dominant forward. But given her recent play, it seems she’s figured things out.
Hamby has seen it all during her four years with the Sparks, from head coaching changes to general managers being fired. Rae Burrell is the only member of that 2023 team that has been on the roster throughout with Hamby.
The one thing she hasn’t seen is a Sparks playoff game, which hasn’t happened since 2020. If that’s going to change, then the Sparks will have to go on an epic run effective immediately.
The odds are stacked against them. The Sparks are currently 10-16 and four games back of the eighth and final playoff spot with only 18 contests left. But a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Hamby is one of the team captains for the Sparks and she’s exactly who they want guiding them through the end of this season.
“We can’t keep talking about it, Hamby said. “We’ve got to be about it. I feel like everybody’s kind of where they are right now. We haven’t played our best basketball. I think we’re probably one of the only teams that can really trend up right now.”
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
