Aces sign Kalani Brown after Smith injury

Kalani Brown is officially back with the Las Vegas Aces organization.

The Aces announced Saturday that they signed the 6-foot-7 center, adding another experienced frontcourt option after NaLyssa Smith was ruled out for the season.

“The Las Vegas Aces are thrilled to welcome Kalani to the family,” Aces President and General Manager Nikki Fargas said. “She brings an extremely diverse defensive skillset, has a great paint presence and is a strong rebounder.”

Brown adds size

Brown was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft and has played 139 career games.

She has averaged 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13 minutes per game while shooting 57.5 percent from the field.

Brown spent her rookie season with Los Angeles, then played for Atlanta in 2020 and 2021. She later spent 2023 and 2024 with Dallas before joining Phoenix in 2025.

She also brings extensive international experience. Brown has played six years overseas in China, Israel and Turkey, including three EuroCup seasons.

Across those EuroCup seasons, she averaged 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Familiar face in Las Vegas

This is not Brown’s first connection to the Aces.

Las Vegas signed her to a training camp contract on Feb. 15, 2022. At the time, Aces coach Becky Hammon pointed directly to the dimension Brown could provide.

“At 6-7, she obviously commands a lot of attention in the post,” Hammon said then.

Brown was waived before the regular season and did not appear in a game for Las Vegas.

Her path since then has included productive stretches in Dallas and Phoenix. In 2023, Brown averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 62.9 percent from the field for the Wings.