Jewell Loyd ready for challenge that comes with playing for Las Vegas Aces
Jewell Loyd was all smiles during Saturday afternoon’s introductory press conference with the Las Vegas Aces. It’s a smile she said she’s been wearing for weeks. “I'm super excited to be part of an organization of a winning culture, off and on the court,” the two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star said.
By W.G. RAMIREZ
LAS VEGAS -- Two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd was all smiles Saturday morning during a Zoom session from Miami.
In fact, the six-time All-Star said she's been smiling ever since a deal was negotiated for her to have a new zip code this season.
"I'm super excited to be part of an organization of a winning culture, off and on the court," said Loyd, the 2023 WNBA scoring leader who arrives in Las Vegas after her first 10 years were spent in Seattle. "This roster and everything about it says excellence to me, and I'm just ready to get to work and share my gifts with you guys, the team, with the fans, with the city and continue to build on what they already have going on here for sure."
As part of a three-team trade, the Aces also received the No. 13 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft from Los Angeles. Kelsey Plum, who spent her first eight years with the San Antonio/Las Vegas franchise, heads to the Sparks and Los Angeles' Li Yueru was dealt to Seattle. The Sparks received Seattle’s No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft and its second-round pick in 2026, while the Storm picked up L.A.'s No. 2 pick in this year’s draft and the Aces’ 2026 first-round selection.
"This is a very, very special moment for the Las Vegas Aces, as we continue to build on our championship culture," Aces president Nikki Fargas said. "We're thrilled. I don't even know 'thrilled' is the word that really can put words in my mouth. I'm talking about one of the best players to play in this league, one of the best players in the country, one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in WNBA history - Jewell Loyd - to the Aces family."
After months of speculation that Plum's time with the franchise had come to an end, and Loyd requesting a trade from the Storm, the deal was leaked roughly one week before players could begin signing with other teams when Chicago Sun-Times WNBA reporter Annie Costabile first reported the deal was taking place.
Loyd joins her fellow Team USA teammates A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, to create a new quartet that was previously known as the "Core Four" when Plum was with the team.
Loyd, who was selected No. 1 by Seattle in the 2015 WNBA Draft, won the league's Rookie of the Year award and is a three-time All-WNBA honoree. In 2023 she averaged a league-high 24.7 points per game, and brings to Las Vegas a career scoring average of 16.9 ppg. She also boasts career averages of 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 40.2% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Unrivaled Basketball
Despite an impressive résumé in place, the 5-foot-10 guard said she's excited to grow her game under coach Becky Hammon.
"I think the way they play fits perfectly with how I want to play," said the two-time Olympic and two-time World Cup gold medalist. "Fast, quick, moving the ball. You know, you're able to just be yourself. And that's something that I've always wanted to do and be part of, is making sure that no matter where I go, where I'm playing - that I'm always myself."
She said the best part of about her relationship with Hammon is there's mutual respect in place. Loyd knows what's expected of her, and she's welcoming the challenge of living up to Hammon's standards, not to mention Wilson, who demands plenty of her teammates.
"Right away, Becky let me know that it's and open door policy," Loyd said. "She wants to have the communication, she wants to get to know me, my background and things like that. It's not just about the basketball player, it's about who I am. I think once you kind of connect that and you're able to really pull the greatness out of people.
"I'm ready to get out and just run and play, so I'll make sure I'm in good shape, Becky won't have to worry about that. ... It's not too often that you get to play the best league with your friends, right? That's a bonus. And so knowing that we already have a relationship off the court, it's definitely going to elevate our relationship on the court."
Loyd said she isn't the only one excited and who's been grinning ear-to-ear since deciding to play for the Aces, as "Mama Loyd" just may conduct her own pregame tunnel walks.
"She can't wait," Loyd said of her mother, Gwendolyn. "She has her own bonds with parents and stuff already. But I have family in Vegas as well, so, it's the right place for me right now. ... Trust me, she's getting her outfits ready. She's locked in."
Loyd is currently playing for the Mist in the inaugural Unrivaled Basketball league. She's averaging a league seventh-highest 17.7 points per game in the 3-on-3 league to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest.
The former three-year Notre Dame standout penned a goodbye to Seattle fans in the Players' Tribune, and mentioned the fact she's had so many fond memories with the Storm and opposing venues.
Loyd, known as the "Gold Mamba," said the most poignant memory of Las Vegas for her was seeing Kobe Bryant in attendance in their last interaction before he died tragically.
"Every time I kind of go into Vegas I always have that memory because that was our last interaction," she said. "And it means so much to play in that gym, in that arena. And to have that sense of the spirit, of that Mamba Mentality still living in that gym, to me means a lot.
"So knowing the team I'm going to be a part of, knowing the players that are there, knowing the coaches that are there, but also that spirit still lives there. And so I'm ready to be a part of that ... to elevate that."
