Who is Dearica Hamby's husband? WNBA star says Las Vegas Aces traded her as she 'may get pregnant again'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: WNBA star Dearica Hamby accused the Las Vegas Aces of "trading her" because "they feared she would get pregnant again" in a recent Instagram post. Hamby slammed the Aces for "bullying and lying." The two-time WNBA All-Star was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, January 21. The Sparks tweeted that Hamby will be joining them and that they would also receive a 2024 1st Round Pick.
Hamby, 29 is married to Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, who is also a basketball player, the couple had their first child, a daughter they named Amaya, in February 2017. Now, the couple is expecting their second child. During the 2022 WNBA Championship Parade, Hamby announced her pregnancy, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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Who is Dearica Hamby's husband?
Hamby's husband Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, 29 is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and attended Norcross High School. He later attended the University of Richmond and played for the Richmond Spiders. He received a degree in political science from the university before he started playing for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He went on to play in the Danish Superliga, that is the Denmark - Ligaen. He played as a center for Team FOG Naestved. As of 2022, Nelson-Ododa appears to have taken a break from basketball as he is not currently signed with any team, as per Family Nation.
Nelson-Ododa's father Sebastian is also a former basketball player, who played for the national team of Kenya and was affiliated with Huntington University in Indiana from 1989 to 1992. His younger sister, Olivia, is a young basketball player and currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. Their 19-year-old sibling, Isaiah, is also seeking a professional career in basketball. He plays as a forward for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles while pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.
Hampy's statement on Instagram read, “To the city of Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Aces fans, and my teammates: I genuinely love you all. I trust that you all know this and felt this during my time here. The love for me, my daughter, my family, and even my unborn has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. I gave everything had, and up until the disgusting comments that were made to me, I fought to stay here and tried to be amicable. Vegas is nothing without you all. I will not forget the good times and the journey to bring Las Vegas a championship! You have helped make me who I am today. I never imagined going out like this, but you have inspired me in more ways than you will know. Thank you.”
Hamby continued by saying that she has been “bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against." "Being traded is a part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not. I have had my character and work ethic attacked. I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that were not followed through on," her post read.
She further clarified that "no one expected her to get pregnant in the next two years." Her post continued, “I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. This is false. I was told that I was 'a question mark' and that it was said that I said I would 'get pregnant again' and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team. I was told that 'I didn't hold up my end of the bargain' (Because 'no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years'). Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for the contract extension? I was asked if I planned my pregnancy. When I responded, 'no,' I was then told that I 'was not taking precautions to not get pregnant.' I was being traded because 'I wouldn't be ready and we need bodies.'"
Hamby added that she “planned to play this season." “I planned to play this season, and I have expressed my desire to play this season. I have pushed myself throughout my entire pregnancy and have continued to work out (basketball included) on my own and with team staff - even on days where it was uncomfortable to walk, only to be inaccurately told that 'I was not taking my workouts seriously.' And 'yeah we just don't see that' (with my return). I remained transparent with everyone within the organization, and yet, my honesty was met with coldness, disrespect, and disregard from members of management. I have only put this organization first since day one before any of them were here. 'You're getting moved regardless and It's best for your career that you move on from the Aces.'”
Describing the treatment as “traumatizing”, Hamby wrote, “The unprofessional and unethical way that I have been treated has been traumatizing. To be treated this way by an organization, BY WOMEN who are mothers, who have claimed to 'be in these shoes,' who preach family, chemistry, and women's empowerment is disappointing and leaves me sick to my stomach. We fought for provisions that would finally support and protect player parents. This cannot now be used against me.”