Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Hamby Reflects After Entering Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
4/8/2026 8:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Wake Forest women’s basketball legend added to her legacy in late February.
Setting eyes on Dearica Hamby's resume, it doesn't take long to be wowed.
All-time leader in Wake Forest women's basketball points and rebounds. WNBA Champion. Multiple WNBA All-Star nods. First-ever women's athlete from Wake to earn an Olympic medal. On and on.
The latest accomplishment for Hamby recently occurred this past winter, as she was one of eight Class of 2026 members inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. Able to break free from her busy schedule and spend some time back in Winston-Salem, the 6-foot-3 forward stepped into a night of celebration in front of family, friends, former teammates and coaches. Even with the notable success throughout her collegiate and professional career, she is quick to remember those who helped her along the way.
"I know I won't be able to individually thank everybody, but to every coach, teammate, professor, mentor that poured into me, and every person I passed on my way to the facilities, thank you," Hamby passionately expressed.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Hamby's ascension started right in her hometown at Marietta High School. She competed as a standout for the Blue Devils for three years before attending Norcross High School for her senior season and winning a 5A state title during the 2010-11 campaign. Having developed into a four-star recruit and one of the best in the country at her position, Hamby pulled in a number of offers, including the likes of Florida, South Carolina and West Virginia. She ultimately chose the Demon Deacons, crediting her mother as a major influence in both her decision and character formation.
"My mother believed and made a way out of no way for me and my siblings," Hamby said. "The way she loved us showed me early on what resilience really looks like. She never forced me to make a decision, but I always knew in my heart that she knew Wake Forest was the place for me. I'm here now, at this point of my life, because of her."
Like most freshmen, Hamby arrived on campus with wide eyes and a bit of uncertainty. The university had a lot to offer, and while hoops mainly kept her in her element, she knew she'd have to lean on assistance from others in different areas.
"When I got here, I was 17 years old and had interest in majoring in communication, until I realized I wasn't as comfortable in public speaking," Hamby continued. "I went on to study psychology and I'm pretty sure I gave my academic advisors a few gray hairs from that decision. Ultimately, I felt more prepared for the world.
"It's honestly things that you don't think about in the moment – how to adapt and stay disciplined. It kept me humble and hungry."
Those traits soon carried over from the classroom onto the court for the young Hamby. She will admit it was a learning curve at first, sometimes having to run extra laps due to oversleeping or causing teammates to buzz her phone. Freshmen will be freshmen.
After appearing in 34 games during her first year, Hamby made a noteworthy leap during her sophomore year, more than doubling her scoring average (3.8 to 10.6 points per game). Additionally, she was a top-five league individual in field goal percentage (.542), led the team in steals (57) and pulled down 199 rebounds to rank second on the roster.
Stellar as a sophomore, yes, but it was merely just a snippet of what was to follow.
Hamby dominated during her final two years with the Deacs, becoming the only player in program history to average 20-plus points in multiple seasons. Here's another first – leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in both scoring and rebounding as a junior. Not to mention her 22.0 points per game clip that winter is still the best mark by a Demon Deacon.
After setting a program record for single-season points scored in 2013-14, Hamby then did the same on the rebounding end during her senior year. Her efforts resulted in earning Associated Press All-America recognition and a spot on the All-ACC first team twice. Hamby impressed just as much in the postseason, landing back-to-back ACC All-Tournament Team selections.
The numerous accolades are neat and all, but Hamby knows what she continues to cherish the most – lifelong bonds that were made during her four years.
"My former teammates are my sisters," Hamby said. "I can't thank them enough for the memories and still being in my corner to this day. Wake Forest was one of my first offers and my coaches saw something in me that I didn't see. When there was a coaching change after my first year, I was encouraged to stay and told how it would make sense later … and it did. My coaches pushed me while still letting me be myself and poured into my want to go after things I wanted."
As her No. 25 jersey hangs high in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hamby's influence continues to be felt as current members of the program take the court. She can relate to others striving to achieve a decorated career like hers and has some words of guidance for both current and future Deacs.
"I appreciate the women's basketball staff here at Wake for always thinking of and including me," Hamby said. "The young women of the team know that I've been in their shoes. I know things can feel tough at times, but it'll be worth it. They're meant to be here and chose to come here for a reason. I would just tell them that, no matter where they are on the roster, don't stop believing and never lose sight of that. There's always beauty in the struggle and just remember you can always control your perspective. Embrace the journey and keep taking advantage of the opportunity.
"Looking back, I never imagined playing sports at a high level or getting a degree at such a high level," Hamby said. "I came [to Wake Forest] with a dream of just making it through college. But something clicked for me and I left with a basketball and foundation for life."
All-time leader in Wake Forest women's basketball points and rebounds. WNBA Champion. Multiple WNBA All-Star nods. First-ever women's athlete from Wake to earn an Olympic medal. On and on.
The latest accomplishment for Hamby recently occurred this past winter, as she was one of eight Class of 2026 members inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. Able to break free from her busy schedule and spend some time back in Winston-Salem, the 6-foot-3 forward stepped into a night of celebration in front of family, friends, former teammates and coaches. Even with the notable success throughout her collegiate and professional career, she is quick to remember those who helped her along the way.
"I know I won't be able to individually thank everybody, but to every coach, teammate, professor, mentor that poured into me, and every person I passed on my way to the facilities, thank you," Hamby passionately expressed.
***
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Hamby's ascension started right in her hometown at Marietta High School. She competed as a standout for the Blue Devils for three years before attending Norcross High School for her senior season and winning a 5A state title during the 2010-11 campaign. Having developed into a four-star recruit and one of the best in the country at her position, Hamby pulled in a number of offers, including the likes of Florida, South Carolina and West Virginia. She ultimately chose the Demon Deacons, crediting her mother as a major influence in both her decision and character formation.
"My mother believed and made a way out of no way for me and my siblings," Hamby said. "The way she loved us showed me early on what resilience really looks like. She never forced me to make a decision, but I always knew in my heart that she knew Wake Forest was the place for me. I'm here now, at this point of my life, because of her."
Like most freshmen, Hamby arrived on campus with wide eyes and a bit of uncertainty. The university had a lot to offer, and while hoops mainly kept her in her element, she knew she'd have to lean on assistance from others in different areas.
"When I got here, I was 17 years old and had interest in majoring in communication, until I realized I wasn't as comfortable in public speaking," Hamby continued. "I went on to study psychology and I'm pretty sure I gave my academic advisors a few gray hairs from that decision. Ultimately, I felt more prepared for the world.
"It's honestly things that you don't think about in the moment – how to adapt and stay disciplined. It kept me humble and hungry."
Those traits soon carried over from the classroom onto the court for the young Hamby. She will admit it was a learning curve at first, sometimes having to run extra laps due to oversleeping or causing teammates to buzz her phone. Freshmen will be freshmen.
After appearing in 34 games during her first year, Hamby made a noteworthy leap during her sophomore year, more than doubling her scoring average (3.8 to 10.6 points per game). Additionally, she was a top-five league individual in field goal percentage (.542), led the team in steals (57) and pulled down 199 rebounds to rank second on the roster.
Stellar as a sophomore, yes, but it was merely just a snippet of what was to follow.
Hamby dominated during her final two years with the Deacs, becoming the only player in program history to average 20-plus points in multiple seasons. Here's another first – leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in both scoring and rebounding as a junior. Not to mention her 22.0 points per game clip that winter is still the best mark by a Demon Deacon.
After setting a program record for single-season points scored in 2013-14, Hamby then did the same on the rebounding end during her senior year. Her efforts resulted in earning Associated Press All-America recognition and a spot on the All-ACC first team twice. Hamby impressed just as much in the postseason, landing back-to-back ACC All-Tournament Team selections.
The numerous accolades are neat and all, but Hamby knows what she continues to cherish the most – lifelong bonds that were made during her four years.
"My former teammates are my sisters," Hamby said. "I can't thank them enough for the memories and still being in my corner to this day. Wake Forest was one of my first offers and my coaches saw something in me that I didn't see. When there was a coaching change after my first year, I was encouraged to stay and told how it would make sense later … and it did. My coaches pushed me while still letting me be myself and poured into my want to go after things I wanted."
As her No. 25 jersey hangs high in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hamby's influence continues to be felt as current members of the program take the court. She can relate to others striving to achieve a decorated career like hers and has some words of guidance for both current and future Deacs.
"I appreciate the women's basketball staff here at Wake for always thinking of and including me," Hamby said. "The young women of the team know that I've been in their shoes. I know things can feel tough at times, but it'll be worth it. They're meant to be here and chose to come here for a reason. I would just tell them that, no matter where they are on the roster, don't stop believing and never lose sight of that. There's always beauty in the struggle and just remember you can always control your perspective. Embrace the journey and keep taking advantage of the opportunity.
"Looking back, I never imagined playing sports at a high level or getting a degree at such a high level," Hamby said. "I came [to Wake Forest] with a dream of just making it through college. But something clicked for me and I left with a basketball and foundation for life."
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