SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - No strangers to innovation, the San Antonio Spurs have made history by appointing women's basketball legend Becky Hammon as the first paid female assistant in NBA history.

The decision to utilise the former Russian national team star and WNBA veteran is a move which has courted widespread attention, but right from the outset, current head coach Gregg Popovich has been quick to endorse the credentials of his newest recruit.

"I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff," he insisted.

"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."

With the unequivocal backing of Popovich, Hammon will make the full-time transition to coaching after recently announcing her retirement and calling an end to a glittering career which has harvested success on both sides of the Atlantic.

With six WNBA All-Star appearances to her name and now in her 16th WNBA campaign - the last eight of which have been with the San Antonio Stars, Hammon certainly brings a wealth of playing experience to the table.

She is the Stars' all-time leader in assists and three-point field goals made, while ranking second in franchise history in points and games - not bad for a player who went unpicked in the 1999 WNBA draft.

Courting controversy when she decided to suit up for her adopted Russia at the Beijing Olympics back in 2008 and eventually bowing out at London 2012, Hammon has never been far from the limelight and that is set to continue in her new role.

Stars head coach Dan Hughes is  reported to have originally recommended Hammon to Popovich and taken on the primarily responsible for overseeing her coaching development.

Although Lisa Boyer became the first female on an NBA sideline when assisting John Lucas with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2001-02 season, this was in a voluntary capacity.

Meanwhile, another trailblazer has been Los Angeles Clippers' video coordinator Natalie Nakase who had a coaching input during this year's Las Vegas Summer League.

The decision to go with Hammon comes only weeks after the franchise turned heads by hiring the services of highly-respected Italian play-caller Ettore Messina as an assistant.

FIBA