From Rapid City, with love

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

BEIJING -- What a transformation Becky Hammon has made, in such a short time.

The former Colorado State star, current star of the San Antonio team in the WNBA, and the pride of Rapid City, S.D., is starring for the Russian Olympic women’s basketball team here. The Russians made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, reportedly $2 million, or 17 truckloads of rubles.

The team is 4-1 in pool play.

Tough transition from the Good Ol’ USA to Moscowvite? Well, apparently, the Russians have helped grease the way. The roster they turned in to Olympic authorities, with official names of all participants in the Games, has her listed as: Hammon, Rebekka Linn.

Not a lot of those double ‘k’s’’ back in Rapid City.

-- Vladimir Dwyre