3X WNBA Champion Abandons LV Aces to Return Home After 5 Years

The Las Vegas Aces has a saying. The team has a scouting report on the opponents. And then the savvy Clark has one of her own.

It’s classic Alysha Clark—a player who is always thinking one step ahead (I mean, the woman is the second-oldest player and still kicking it!). Off the court, her impact is just as deliberate. She’s an active voice in the WNBA players’ union and a fierce advocate for causes she believes in. She’s also the ultimate teammate, the kind who decorates lockers for returning Olympians and gifts rookie Kate Martin a custom gold chain, just because.

That’s what the Aces are losing.

Leaving the Aces and Becky Hammon, the three-time WNBA champion, a.k.a, ‘Steady Eddy,’ is returning to the Storm after leaving the team in 2020. And ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne broke the news on X. 

“Three-time WNBA champion Alysha Clark is returning to the Seattle Storm, her agent Jessica Holtz of CAA told ESPN. Clark won championships with the Storm in 2018 and 2020, then played a vital role for the Las Vegas Aces as they won a title in 2023.”

Now, with 15 years of experience with 10 different teams, both in the U.S. and overseas, Alysha Clark is returning to a franchise that knows her well.

This move certainly adds intrigue to free agency because Clark’s exit leaves a gap for the 2x champs in Vegas. Seattle is retooling after the departures of Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird, and bringing back a familiar face like Alysha Clark could help stabilize their roster. Not to mention, they can do well with exactly what Alysha brings to the table: defensive grit and veteran presence. 

Becky Hammon & LV Aces retool roster with key additions of Parker-Tyus and Loyd

Step by step, the LV Aces are putting the pieces in place to reclaim their championship form after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 2023 WNBA season.  

The Aces signed veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal worth $78,831 to add to their roster. She was an All-Star for the Atlanta Dream and has a wealth of experience and versatility. Despite playing only 25 games last season after suffering an ankle injury, she averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2024. She is expected to add strength to the Aces’ frontcourt as they seek to dominate the paint with three-time MVP A’ja Wilson.

Another notable development was the signing of six-time All-Star and former WNBA scoring champion Jewell Loyd by the Aces in a blockbuster trade last month. Loyd had a vital role for the Seattle Storm with Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart in their championship run. And she was traded to the Aces in the trade that sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. Loyd’s scoring ability and playoff experience will be huge advantages to the Aces’ backcourt as they look to make a deeper postseason push in 2024.

The Aces are also investing in the future by signing 2024 draftee Elizabeth Kitley to a rookie-scale contract. Kitley, who is recovering from an ACL tear, represents a long-term project for the team as they continue to build a sustainable contender.