Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

South Dakota Natives Lead WNBA Finals: Tibbetts and Hammon

10/8/2025

49 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Nate Tibbetts and Becky Hammon head the WNBA Finals, both South Dakota natives.
Matt Wilber, Northern State head men's coach, spent a year coaching with Tibbetts at Phoenix Mercury.
Tibbetts logged 12 years as an NBA assistant before becoming Mercury head coach in 2024.
Tibbetts' father, Fred, influenced his coaching and the growth of girls' basketball in the state.

History

Historical Context

The passage of Title IX in 1972 transformed women's sports in the U.S. by mandating equal opportunities in educational programs, significantly boosting participation in sports like basketball. In South Dakota, figures like Fred Tibbetts nurtured girls' basketball talent, contributing to the emergence of players in the WNBA. The ongoing success of coaches like Nate Tibbetts and Becky Hammon highlights the lasting impact of these changes.

1 of 2

Story summary

Nate Tibbetts and Becky Hammon head the WNBA Finals, both South Dakota natives.
Matt Wilber, Northern State head men's coach, spent a year coaching with Tibbetts at Phoenix Mercury.
Tibbetts logged 12 years as an NBA assistant before becoming Mercury head coach in 2024.
Tibbetts' father, Fred, influenced his coaching and the growth of girls' basketball in the state.

1 / 2