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Jewell Loyd and Becky Hammon Had Strong Words About Las Vegas Aces Rookie Aaliyah Nye originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There’s no denying that Aces rookie Aaliyah Nye has a work ethic that is unmatched. It’s something her head coach, Becky Hammon and teammates, including Jewell Loyd, have all noticed since she arrived in Vegas as the No. 13 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
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In a recent feature for The Sporting Tribune, which dives into Nye’s journey and her dedication to her game, both Hammon, as well as Loyd, praised Nye for her poise as a rookie
“She just has this confidence about her game, to be in the moment, you never really see her get too rushed or intimidated,” Loyd said to the outlet. “I don’t know what makes her rattle, but you can tell that she’s very mature about her direction, on the court and off the court.”
Despite averaging just 4 points and 1.3 rebounds per game so far this season, Nye’s impact goes well beyond the box score, from being disruptive on defense to making timely plays and knocking down shots when the Aces have needed it most. That’s something Hammon has taken note of as Nye’s playing time has progressed:
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“She has stick-to-itiveness,” Hammon said. “She has a resiliency to her game. That’s how she made this team. She doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Quick learner. And she sure as heck ain’t making the same mistake twice. I don’t know if I’ve seen her do that in a month. So, all those things, and obviously her shooting, helped me gain confidence in putting her out in those situations.”
Related: Mystics Rookie Kiki Iriafen Catches the Attention of this Phoenix Mercury Star
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
