Since San Antonio Silver Stars‘ point guard, Becky Hammon was a little girl, she has dreamed of playing in the Olympics.

Hammon was born March 11, 1977 in Rapid City, South Dakota. She played college basketball at Colorado State and has played in the WNBA since 1999. Later this summer she’ll realize her Olympic dream – in a Russian uniform. From ESPN:

Last summer, when USA Basketball released its list of the pool players from which the U.S. Olympic team would be chosen, Hammon’s name was absent. She later signed a lucrative contract with club team CSKA Moscow that included the possibility of playing for the Russian Olympic team.

Hammon understands why people might object, but will play for her new country anyway.

“I’m sure they have their reasons. It’s a very difficult job and I don’t blame them for their decision. This is just a great opportunity for me to play in the Olympics and hopefully break some stereotypes, both here and over there.”

Hammon has no ancestral ties to Russia, but under Russian league rules, she was able to obtain a passport and become a naturalized citizen because she had never appeared for another country in a FIBA-sanctioned event. In other words, she was still eligible to compete for Russia internationally.

Rule are funny like that. All you have to do is make a rule that says “Oh sure, you have no ties to the country, but if you get a passport – come on over! You’re one of us now!” Russian basketball is like the Olive Garden like that. Speaking of which, if you’ve eaten at Olive Garden in the last year you’re eligible for the Italian National team.

[Photo: Becky Hammon MySpace]