Becky Hammon, a 16 year veteran of the WNBA was hired to be a part of the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff, the team said Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Hammon announced that she was retiring from the WNBA this season, her 16th season, on July 23.

"I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said in a statement Tuesday. "Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs." 

Hammon's 15th WNBA season was cut short due to injury. That year, Popovich invited her to attend Spurs' practices. She also joined the Spurs during their preseason activities at the Air Force Academy in an informal role.

In an interview in May, Popovich said women can indeed coach men's players. 

"I don't see why not. There shouldn't be any limitations. It's about talent and the ability to do things. It's not about what your sex is or your race or anything else." 

Hammon was named one of the WNBA's top 15 players of all time in July 2011. She's played in 445 games and spent the last eight seasons with the San Antonion Stars. In 2012, she was the top vote-getter for Stars' All-Decade Team.

She approached the Stars' coach Dan Hughes to discuss her desire to coach after this season ends. She then met with Popovich and Spurs general manager R.C. Buford.

The Spurs won the 2013 NBA Championship by defeating the Miami Heat four games to one. They hired another assistant coach in June, European legend Ettore Messina of CSKA Moscow.

What do you think of the hiring of Hammon? Should more females be coaches in men's sports? Leave a comment below.