LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Aces announced Friday that they have signed guard Tiffany Hayes, officially bringing the Aces back to 12 players.
“Joining the Aces will be very exciting for me,” Hayes said in a statement. “I’m just grateful that they are willing to work with me as I am diving headfirst into a new era in my life. It will be nice to experience the West Coast and this organization as I join them on the road to another winning season. I have no doubts that there is something special brewing, and I’m just another great ingredient being added to the mix.”
The 11-year veteran was drafted No. 14 overall in the 2012 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. Hayes was drafted out of the Univeristy of Connecticut, where she became a two-time NCAA National Champion.
Hayes played 10 seasons with the Dream before signing with the Connecticut Sun in free agency in 2023. During her career with the Dream, Hayes averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
In her rookie year, Hayes was selected to the 2012 All-Rookie Team. After her breakout 2018 season, she was selected to the All-WNBA First Team, WNBA All-Defensive Second Team, finishing sixth in MVP voting and fourth in Defensive Player of the year voting.
After signing with the Sun, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in her final season before ultimately announcing her retirement from the WNBA on the “Counted Me Out” podcast in December 2023.
“Tiffany is a fiery competitor with a winner’s mentality,” said Las Vegas General Manager Natalie Williams. “A savvy veteran who will be a great addition to our team.”
The back-to-back champion Aces are 4-1 to start the 2024-25 season and will travel to Atlanta to take on Hayes’ former team Friday.
Amara Bullard is a Marketing + Media student at Loyola University in Chicago aspiring to work in basketball operations.
