NBA commissioner Adam Silver has hailed San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon as a "pioneer" for women in sport.
Hammon became the first female coach in the history of the NBA when she was hired by the Spurs last year and enjoyed a successful first season with the club.
The 38-year-old has now been joined by Nancy Lieberman and Jen Welter as female coaches in the men's professional game as the duo were hired by the Sacramento Kings and the Arizona Cardinals respectively.
"I think just like we've seen enormous change in our society, just in the last decade, I think that's another ceiling, another barrier that will be broken," Silver told reporters.
"And it takes women like Becky being out there. You need pioneers, and there's been other pioneers before her, but I think you couldn't ask for more of a complete package in terms of former player, student of the game and someone who's able to work within a strong organisation like the Spurs."
Hammon revealed that she was delighted at the news about the appointments of Lieberman and Welter.
Simon Sinclair
