LAS VEGAS, NV — In front of a sold T-Mobile Arena crowd, the fans witnessed a second-half comeback by the Las Vegas Aces as they triumphed over the Indian Fever led by Caitlin Clark 89-81. Rookie Aaliyah Nye finished with 11 points in 27 minutes and aided in the Aces comeback. As the Aces witnessed an impressive rise from their rookie in Nye, veterans A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray were quick to sing her praises.
From her understanding of her game to her on-court maturity, Nye is making an undeniable impression early in her WNBA career.
“I mean, Roll Tide [Aaliyah Nye] has done a great job understanding who she is. She knows that she is a threat to a lot of people, and people have to guard her. So that’s why any chance that I get, I tell her to shoot the basketball. That’s all—literally, clear your mind and shoot the basketball,” Wilson told reporter Jose Volonte.
She also highlighted Nye’s confidence and understanding of her role and praised how quickly she adapted to high-level competition.
“I’m just so grateful and so happy that she’s thriving in her space. She self-corrects, which is crazy. I’ve never seen a rookie do it so quickly and on the fly,” Wilson added.
Her surprise at Nye’s ability to self-adjust mid-game shows how mature and mentally sharp the rookie has become in such a short period.
“And I’ll add to that. You guys see her shoot a lot of threes, but she’s solid on the defensive end. She knows the scouts, she’s ready to switch, she’s ready to guard the post—she’s solid on both ends of the floor,” Gray said.
‘The Point Gawd,’ known as Gray, emphasized Nye’s versatility, highlighting her dedication to excelling offensively and defensively, which is crucial for her continued growth and contribution.
Wilson and Gray’s respect reflects a shared belief that Nye’s future in the WNBA is bright. They see her as a player with immense potential—someone who’s already self-correcting and understanding her game at an elite level. As Nye continues to refine her skills, the Aces and their fans can look forward to more impactful moments from this promising rookie.
