Jennifer Hamson


Jennifer Hamson is an American professional basketball player. She was also an All-American volleyball player for the Brigham Young University Cougars.

Early career

Hamson grew up in Lindon, Utah. She attended Pleasant Grove High School, where she was an all-state basketball selection and a member of the state championship volleyball team. She also played for the Utah Elite club volleyball team. Hamson was recruited to play volleyball by the University of Utah, Colorado State, Utah State, Long Beach State, University of Louisville, and UNLV.

College

Hamson was a dual sport athlete at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and is considered by many to be the best ever female athlete at BYU. She led the Cougars to a sweet sixteen appearance in the 2014 NCAA tournament, only the third #12 seed to ever make it that far. As a senior, she averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and led the nation with 147 blocked shots. She was named an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention recipient and was the WCC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, the first time in league history that the honor has gone to the same student-athlete.

WNBA career

Following her collegiate career, Hamson was selected 23rd overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, despite telling teams that she would defer playing a year to complete her volleyball commitments. Hamson signed with the Sparks on February 23, 2015 after sitting out the 2014 WNBA season.

Volleyball career

Hamson chose to defer playing in the WNBA so she could attend the U.S. Collegiate National Volleyball Team camp during the summer of 2014. She will complete her eligibility by competing with the BYU volleyball team for the fall 2014 season. Hamson was named an All American for volleyball after the Cougars run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2013.

Personal life

Hamson is a daughter of David and Tresa Spaulding Hamson, who starred in basketball at BYU, as did many family members on the maternal side. She has two brothers, Alan, who played for the BYU basketball team, and Tim, as well as two sisters.

Awards and honors

Basketball

Brigham Young University