A Detailed Basketball Ranking: Top 10 Las Vegas Aces Players of All-Time
A Detailed Basketball Ranking: Top 10 Las Vegas Aces Players of All-Time
By Jocelyn Alano July 18, 2024 16:52
The Las Vegas Aces have had a surge onto the WNBA scene since relocating from San Antonio in 2018. The Aces have reached the postseason in four of their six seasons since moving to Las Vegas and won their first WNBA title this year.
Aces will feature some of the top names in the WNBA during this highlight period, an impressive first step for their future. Here, we recount the former Las Vegas Mayors' top 10 players.
The Top 10
1. A'ja Wilson (2018-Present)
There's no doubt who tops this list - A'ja Wilson has been the face of the Aces franchise since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2018. The two-time WNBA MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year has transformed the Aces into a perennial contender. Wilson has won almost every award imaginable, including leading the Aces to their first WNBA title in 2022. As long as she remains in Las Vegas, the Aces will be a force to be reckoned with.
2. Dearica Hamby (2018-2022)
Despite her acrimonious exit from the Aces, Dearica Hamby's contributions to the franchise cannot be overstated. A two-time Sixth Player of the Year and two-time All-Star, Hamby's sacrifice and iconic moments, like the "Hamby Heave," helped define the Aces' early years in Las Vegas. She was one of only two players to play in every season of the organization's first five campaigns in the city.
3. Kelsey Plum (2018-Present)
The only remaining player on the Aces' roster who arrived with the franchise from San Antonio, Kelsey Plum has blossomed into one of the league's premier guards. Plum earned first-team All-WNBA honors in 2022 and was dynamic under coach Becky Hammon, helping guide the Aces to their first championship.
4. Kayla McBride (2018-2020)
McBride spent seven seasons with the Aces organization, including three highly productive campaigns in Las Vegas. She earned two of her three career All-Star selections with the Aces and averaged a career-best 18.2 points per game in 2018 as the franchise established itself in its new home.
5. Jackie Young (2019-Present)
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, Young's Aces career got off to a slow start but she has blossomed into one of the league's premier wings. Young earned her first All-Star selection in 2022 and her buzzer-beating layup to force overtime in Game 3 of the 2022 WNBA semifinals against the Seattle Storm was an iconic moment.
Honorable Mentions
- Liz Cambage
- Chelsea Gray
- Angel McCoughtry
The Aces' Rapid Rise to Prominence
The Aces' move to Las Vegas in 2018 has paid immediate dividends, with the franchise quickly establishing itself as one of the WNBA's elite teams. Led by superstars like A'ja Wilson, the Aces have made the playoffs four times in their six seasons in Las Vegas, including winning their first WNBA championship in 2022.
The Aces' success has not gone unnoticed, as the team has become a fixture on the Las Vegas sports scene. Their 2022 championship parade down the Las Vegas Strip was a celebration of the city's first major professional sports title.
With a talented core of players still in their prime, the Aces appear poised to continue their dominance in the WNBA for years to come. Fans in Las Vegas have quickly embraced this team, and the Aces' legacy as one of the league's premier franchises is already secure.
In the End
The Aces' move to Las Vegas has been a resounding success, with the franchise quickly becoming one of the WNBA's elite teams. Led by superstar A'ja Wilson and a supporting cast of talented players, the Aces have made an undeniable impact on the city's sports scene.
As we look back on the Aces' short but successful tenure in Las Vegas, these 10 players stand out as the franchise's all-time greats. From Wilson's MVP-caliber play to Hamby's iconic moments, these players have laid the foundation for the Aces' bright future. Fans in Las Vegas have plenty to be excited about as this team continues to chase championships.