After her time at the Olympics, Tiffany Hayes is finally back in Las Vegas and drawing parallels between being an Aces player and a student eager for school. She expressed feeling like it’s a fresh start, reminiscent of the first day of school.
The team had their first practice post-Olympics, reuniting the players who went to Paris with those who stayed in the U.S. The Aces, with a record of 16-8, are set to play against the New York Liberty (22-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Some players joked about still feeling the effects of their time in Paris, with guard Kelsey Plum commenting on her legs still being there and center Kiah Stokes feeling far from fresh. Coach Becky Hammon allowed recent returnees to skip parts of the workout if they were too exhausted.
Hammon shared her own experience in Paris, celebrating A’ja Wilson’s birthday and witnessing her players win gold against the host country’s team. Wilson excelled throughout the tournament, earning MVP honors with her impressive performance.
Point guard Chelsea Gray also stood out with a notable 13 assists in a game against Japan. Plum’s clutch free throws sealed the deal in a close game against France, securing the gold medal for the U.S.
Amidst the intense competition, players like Jackie Young and Plum formed strong bonds, creating lasting memories both on and off the court. Young highlighted the relationships and friendships that she developed during the Olympics.
Alysha Clark made sure to celebrate the Olympic accomplishments of teammates Tiffany Hayes and Megan Gustafson by decking out their lockers and presenting them with mock medals. Hayes led Azerbaijan in scoring, while Gustafson made a mark with Spain’s national team in the quarterfinals.
As the Aces gear up for their upcoming game against the Liberty, players like Wilson reflect on their Olympic journey, experiencing moments of greatness and forming connections with fellow athletes and fans.
Contact Callie Lawson-Freeman at clawsonfreeman@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.
Up next
Who: Liberty at Aces
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Michelob Ultra Arena
TV: CBS
Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)
Line: Aces -2½; total 172½
