WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Alleges Unethical Treatment Over Pregnancy Amid Trade from Las Vegas to Los Angeles

For fans of the WNBA, pregnancy is naturally one of those aspects of female athletes’ lives that doesn’t often get much public discussion, especially when it comes to the impact on their careers. However, Dearica Hamby, a two-time WNBA champion and well-respected star, has now come forward with serious allegations about how her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, handled her pregnancy — allegations that have shocked the basketball world.

Hamby, who was recently traded from the Las Vegas Aces to the Los Angeles Sparks, spoke out publicly about what she called “unprofessional and unethical” treatment she experienced related to her pregnancy. This revelation came in the form of a heartfelt Instagram post, where Hamby detailed her frustrations and disappointment with the organization, despite expressing gratitude to the city of Las Vegas and Aces fans.

“Being traded is part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not,” Hamby wrote. She went on to say that she had been attacked personally and professionally, including her character and work ethic being called into question by those within the organization.

Hamby explained that she was promised contract extension terms as an incentive to stay, but those promises were never fulfilled. Moreover, she was accused of signing an extension while pregnant — a claim she firmly denies. She said that people within the Aces treated her as a “question mark,” assuming she would get pregnant again and doubting her commitment to the team.

“I was told that I ‘did not keep my promises’ because ‘no one expected me to be pregnant again for the next two years,’” Hamby revealed in her post. “Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for an extension? I was asked if I was planning to get pregnant. When I answered ‘no,’ I was told I was ‘not taking precautions to avoid pregnancy.’”

The situation escalated when Hamby was traded with the explanation that “I was not ready and that the team needed more players.” This came despite Hamby’s insistence that she planned to play this season and her clear demonstration of commitment — working hard throughout her pregnancy, continuing to train, including basketball practice, both on her own and with the team’s staff. She expressed deep frustration that her efforts were dismissed as “not serious training.”

Hamby did not hold back her disappointment, stating that the entire experience was deeply traumatic. She criticized the fact that this treatment came from “an organization made up of women who are mothers themselves, who claim to be in this position, who preach family, chemistry, and empowering women.”

“We fought hard to secure the final terms that would support and protect player-parents,” Hamby added, “and now this cannot be used against me anymore.”

Earlier this year, Hamby had publicly announced she was expecting her second child during the Aces’ championship parade in September, a joyful moment that now stands in stark contrast to the difficulties she has faced behind the scenes.

Hamby’s basketball credentials are solid. Selected sixth overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2015 WNBA draft, she earned All-WNBA Sixth Woman honors in both 2019 and 2020. Over her career with the Aces, she averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, playing a vital role in helping the team capture their first-ever WNBA championship.

Despite this, the treatment she has described exposes ongoing challenges female athletes face regarding pregnancy and career stability, especially in professional sports environments that may not fully support or accommodate parenthood.

Her story has triggered widespread discussions about how female athletes — particularly in the WNBA — are supported during pregnancy, how teams balance business interests with player well-being, and the need for stronger protections against discrimination.

Hamby’s courage in speaking out sheds light on a difficult topic that many female athletes may hesitate to address openly, given the potential career risks and stigma.

As Hamby prepares to start a new chapter with the Los Angeles Sparks, fans and fellow players are rallying behind her, hoping for a fresh start that respects both her athletic ability and her role as a mother.

The WNBA community now watches closely to see how the league and teams respond to Hamby’s claims and whether this incident will spark policy reviews or reforms that better protect female players juggling professional sports careers and motherhood.