WNBA Champion Held Back Tears After Career News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 7:19 AM ET

Aerial Powers joined the Indiana Fever in 2025 as a mid-season addition following a slew of injuries. She initially signed a seven-day contract before earning a rest-of-season deal, eventually helping the team finish the campaign with a 24-20 record.

The 10-year WNBA veteran, who was taken in the first round of the 2016 Draft, played eight regular-season games for Indiana and put up 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists on an average of 20 minutes per contest.

In the offseason, Powers headed to Turkey to join the Çanakkale Belediyespor of the Turkish Super League. She also started her own podcast, called "Aerial View," taking advantage of her increased popularity.

Powers is still a free agent, and it remains to be seen if the Fever will bring her back. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old guard continues to have an eventful offseason.

Indiana Fever guard Aerial Powers (23) looks on during a game.© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

In fact, on Friday, Powers was inducted into her high school's Athletics Hall of Fame. Powers played for Detroit Country Day in high school and was a two-time Associated Press Class B Player of the Year during her time there.

Powers couldn't help but get emotional over the recognition, as she shared on social media that she was "holding back" her tears.

"Yesterday Was Literally One For The Book!! Hall Of Fame At My High School @dcdsathletics @dcdswbball," Powers wrote on her Instagram Stories. "I Was Literally Holding Back Tears!! I Can't Wait To Share All Pics In Feed Soon."

Powers also expressed how proud she is to receive such honor, adding that her younger self would be "so proud."

"Who Who Would Have Ever Thought. I'll Save My Emotional Words For Later! It's All Settling In Now," Powers stated in another post. "Hall Of Fame At One Of The Most Prestigious High School."

Aerial Powers was emotional after being inducted into her high school's athletics Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/G8u8KxO9Dl
— Kit Espina (@KeithEspino22) April 13, 2026

It's certainly a massive achievement for Powers to be inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. After all, Detroit Country Day has produced players such as Chris Webber, JaVale McGee, Shane Battier, Patrick Kane and Kate Markgraf, according to the WNBA.

She certainly deserves it, though. She led the high school to four consecutive regional championships. Furthermore, she won a championship in the WNBA in 2019 as a member of the Washington Mystics.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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