After an 18-4 season, regular-season run, and losing in the finals to the Storm, the Aces are seeking revenge. The Aces have many new additions to the team whether it be players coming back, free agents, or new draftees. The future is bright for Vegas as we head into the 2021 season. Here is the Las Vegas Aces 2021 Season Preview.
Return of Cambage and Plum
Due to injury for Kelsey Plum and the pandemic for Liz Cambage neither were able to play in the 2020 season. Plum had an Achilles injury that prevented her from playing during the 2020 season. During the 2019 season, Plum averaged 8.6 PPG and 3.0 APG. Her leadership as a point guard and her loyalty to the organization since 2017 will be extremely helpful to the new players for the Aces. Cambage is another piece of the Aces team that was missed during the 2020 season. Cambage did not play due to health concerns occurring with COVID-19. During the 2019 season, she averaged 15.9 PPG and 8.2 RPG. These two players will be important for this Aces team in this upcoming season.
2020 MVP and 6WOTY
Two keys to the Aces season success can be contributed to A’ja Wilson and Dearica Hamby. Wilson was named the regular-season MVP after an extremely successful season. She averaged 20.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 BLK, and 2.0 APG. Hamby was named the Back-to-Back Sixth Woman of the Year after yet another phenomenal season. She averaged 13.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 2.7 APG. These two players will be huge leaders on this team and not only in scoring but also in-game experience. Since there are many new players for this team whether it be rookies or free agents, their leadership is key. They will be key in the Aces’ success in the 2021 season.
Free Agency
During the off-season, the Aces were able to pick up both Chelsea Gray and Riquna Williams from the Sparks during the free agency period. Gray is a vet as she has played six years in the league. During the 2020 season, Gray averaged 14.0 PPG and 5.3 APG. Williams is also a vet and has played eight years in the league. During the 2020 season, she averaged 10.5 PPG and 1.5 APG. Both Gray and Williams’ experience in the league and their skill sets on both sides of the ball will be huge for the Aces.
New Draftees
During the 2021 Draft, the Aces had both the 12th and the 14th pick. The Aces picked up Iliana Rupert and Destiny Slocum. Rupert is a 19-year old 6’3 forward from France. She is a member of the French National team and played in the EuroLeague. She is a phenomenal player for her age and has the potential to grow into an even better player under Wilson and Cambage. Slocum is a fifth-player out of the University of Arkansas after graduating from Oregon State. She is a sharpshooter and shot over 39% behind the arc. Her offensive skills will be huge for this team, as she averaged 15 PPG, after the loss of Kayla McBride. Both of these rookies will be huge in the future of the Aces.
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