The interview was published on Nice Kicks on December 21, 2020. You can read the story in its original format here.

After another impressive WNBA season, Dearica Hamby is the latest member of Jordan Brand. The Las Vegas Aces forward is one of five WNBA signings, the largest class that the Jumpman has signed to date.

We spoke to Dearica Hamby about the importance of joining Jordan Brand and what to expect on-court in the upcoming season. Learn what she had to say below, and keep it locked for more basketball content on Nice Kicks Hoops.

Dearica Hamby on What to Expect in her Rotation

Nice Kicks: We know the brand is really pushing the 35 for the entire family. What can you tell us about your PE collection for the upcoming season?

Dearica Hamby: You’re probably going to see a lot of right, vibrant colors. I’m really into pink, purple, blue. I’ll probably let Amaya (daughter) design a lot of them. She’ll have a lot of say.

I like Russell Westbrook’s shoe as well. I played in those a bit over the summer.

I’m going to go vibrant like my personality and let it show through my shoes.

Hamby on her favorite Pick-Up This Year

NK: There’s been a ton of great shoes that dropped this year. Which pick-up from this year was your favorite?

DH: I like the Air Jordan 1 “Bio Hack.” They have a lot going on. You can wear them with just about everything. A lot of different colors. I have two pairs of them, actually.

Hamby on the Air Jordan 1 and its Appeal

NK: The Air Jordan 1 has risen in popularity a lot within the last couple of years. What is it about the silhouette that makes it worthy in your wardrobe?

DH: I like the way they look on my body. I have long and narrow feet. They don’t look big on me. Like 12s, look heavy on me. I’m a 6′ 3″ woman in a size 10.5. The AJ1s are just thin.

I like the classic look it. It’s my style. It’s simple.

Hamby on What to Expect for Women’s Sneakers

NK: Jordan Brand has done a lot for the ladies from extended sizing to exclusive drops. What are you most excited about sneaker culture down the road as it pertains to the women of the game?

DH: It’s been labeled as unisex even though it’s been more geared towards men. We obviously would still wear the things.

Now, sneakers being marketed more towards women and what they need. We need shoes that are lighter and easier on our knees. We can appreciate that and the direction it’s heading in.

I’ll have input on things. If they take it, they take it. Not everything has to be pink. If you slim the shoe down, that can make it more feminine There’s different things you can do.

Hamby on Who Has the Best Heat on the Las Vegas Aces

NK: The Aces are loaded with sneakerheads. Tamera, A’ja, Kelsey, Sugar, Liz, and yourself. Who do you think has the best on-court heat and who has the best off-court heat?

DH: Sugar. She hoops in LeBrons’. She has some that I haven’t ever seen before. He always shows love to her when she posts them. Especially with her not having a shoe deal, that speaks to it.

She does this on her own.

We were on the phone yesterday and she thought about playing in some Jordans, but she can’t go away from wearing LeBrons’.

Hamby on the Significance of Signing with Jordan Brand for Women and the Future of the Game

NK: You mentioned your daughter earlier. What’s the significance of you signing with Jordan Brand, not only for your daughter but for women who want to get more invested in the game?

DH: Jordan Brand did a great job of signing a diverse group of women. We’re all different players with different styles.

People have different dynamics and dimensions to them. It was important for the brand to reach women on all parts of the spectrum. I think they did a good job of that.

Hamby on Balancing Social Justice and Basketball During the WNBA Bubble

NK: The W continued its commitment to social justice, especially for the Black community. As a mother and a Black woman in America, what was this summer like in balancing all of this?

DH: Outside of the Bubble it was kind of scary. You want to be involved. On the other aspect, I have a three-year-old daughter. Especially with protests, I don’t want to jeopardize anything. I still have to go back home and raise my daughter. That was hard.

It’s pulling at you and what you really believe in. It’s also other people, a young women, who I have to raise and look out for.

In the bubble, she doesn’t understand what’s going on yet. As she gets older, with all this stuff being documented, I can explain to her and she can look back and pull from that. That’ll be cool and touching for her in knowing that she was a part of that.