Coach Hammon Talks about Trusting the Rookie

Last Sunday in a win on the road against the Seattle Storm, rookie Aaliyah Nye had a career game off the bench for the Las Vegas Aces.

Off the bench, Nye scored 10 points in 11 rebounds and even grabbed a rebound.

In the post-game presser, Aces’ coach Becky Hammon gave props to Nye, Tiffany Mitchell, and Dana Evans after the 75-70 win.

Hammon said, “Per usual, (Aaliyah’s) ready to go, she was locked in. I thought Dana’s run for us in that first half was really, really good. Was pesky defensively, and then was hitting shots, getting downhill offensively.”

Hammon said, via the Sporting Tribune. “I thought everybody that actually came in. I thought Tiff Mitchell played great minutes. So good bench minutes. I thought overall today for us, and that’s something I want to continue to build on.”

In the 2025 WNBA Draft, Nye was the 13th overall pick for the Aces. Nye has not played more than 18 minutes so far this season. Her minutes could increase with continued aggressive play on the court.

Nye was drafter from the University of Alabama where she set a school record with 108 3-pointers in the 2023-24 season.

Nye said, “Each game we just want to get better,” Nye said after beating the Storm. “As we play together, we’re getting more comfortable, so we want to just keep what the first group had, and just hone off that, and stay in the game and do the right thing and do the disciplined plays that we’re taught to do.”