New Faces, Same Championship Mentality
The Las Vegas Aces officially introduced their newest additions yesterday—Jewell Loyd and Elizabeth Kitley—and it’s safe to say the excitement is real. With a new season around the corner, the Aces are locked in and ready to make another championship run.
Head coach Becky Hammon kept it simple and to the point: "I can’t wait for April." The Aces didn’t get the ending they wanted last season, but they’ve made some big moves to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Adding two high-impact players like Lloyd and Kitley shows just how serious they are about reclaiming the top spot.
For Jewell Loyd, a two-time WNBA champ and straight up bucket getter, joining the Aces is already feeling like the right move. "The smile hasn’t left my face since. There's a different feel in this building, and I'm excited to be a part of it." She also touched on the bigger picture, saying, "We’re doing something bigger than just basketball here, and I'm really grateful to be a part of it." Loyd’s ability to create her own shot and bring leadership to an already stacked roster makes this a game-changing acquisition.
On the flip side, Elizabeth Kitley, the 6’6" star out of Virginia Tech, is gearing up for her rookie season. After rehabbing an ACL injury, she’s coming in with something to prove. "I want to succeed for a multitude of reasons, but also just for myself. To remind myself, I guess, that I know how to play basketball." Kitley dominated at the college level with her rebounding and scoring in the post, and if she can transition that to the pro game, the Aces might have just found another key piece for the future.
The message from the Aces leadership is clear this team isn’t slowing down. With Loyd’s veteran presence and Kitley’s potential as a dominant post player, the squad is stacking up to be dangerous. The chemistry on this team is already strong, and adding two more players who fit the culture and winning mentality makes them even more of a threat.
A new season is coming, and the energy in Vegas is on another level. Aces fans, get ready big things are happening!