Defending Champ Las Vegas Aces Show Impressive New Training Center In Henderson Friday
(LVSportsBiz.com’s Cassandra Cousineau also interviewed Aces head coach Becky Hammon at the Aces facility media event about Hammon interviewing for the Toronto Raptors head coaching job.)
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Story by Cassandra Cousineau Photos by Hugh Byrne
The defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces unveiled their sparkling new 64,000-square-foot practice facility and team headquarters in Henderson for the media Friday.
The Aces facility next to the Raiders training center/HQ is the first of its kind in WNBA history. Raiders owner Mark Davis also owns the Aces and built the basketball training building at his site.
The facility is part of the Raiders’ three buildings purchased from Matter Real Estate Group for $56 million. The Aces center is a short walk across a parking lot from the NFL team’s training center.
Overlooking two full courts, the high-tech 4-LED iPad-controlled scoreboards are a major step up from the scene at the team’s previous practice location, Cox Pavilion, at UNLV. The Aces like to include long-distance shooting competitions in their practices — and they have plenty of space to do that now.
With the Seattle Storm soon to unveil its own practice facility, Aces General Manager Natalie Williams recognized that Las Vegas may be starting a much-desired trend in the WNBA.
“We love to be the standard setters of what best in class should look like,” Williams said at the media open house.
“Thanks again to Mark Davis for wanting to build this amazing facility for these women, but I definitely think you’ll see more in the future,” she said. “Owners, and in some cases multiple owners, will start to put money towards these types of facilities. It’s something our players deserve.”
In-house, state-of-the-art recovery amenities make it more convenient for players like Kelsey Plum who would often receive treatment at UFC’s Performance Institute off the 215 beltway in the southwest valley.
Two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year A’ja Wilson told LVSportsBiz the comprehensive list of services available in their own facility should be standard across the league.
“It’s very important. It gives us our own place. This is just the tip of the iceberg, too. Not just for Vegas, but for the league as a whole. They’re all going to see it. They’re all going to be jealous about what we have going on over here.”
In keeping with Davis’ tradition of honoring alumni, a space on the second level has been designated as an alumni lounge.
After finishing with a 26–10 record before winning the organization’s first WNBA championship, the Aces know the target will on their back going into the 2023 season.
Coach Becky Hammon, who was mentioned as a candidate for the NBA Toronto Raptors’ head coach opening, wants her players to remain hungry and focused.
“After the season that we’ve had, there’s two things you have to fight, and that’s entitlement and complacency,” Hammon said. “But don’t think for a second that these women haven’t earned it; they have. So, enjoy it. Still, we’re going to sling sweat all over this place with our hard work.”
Hammon was tight-lipped when asked about the Raptors job. She told LVSportsBiz, “This is all about the Aces. I won’t take one moment away from these women to talk about those boys.”
There are 144 roster spots in the 12-team WNBA. Every team includes one, if not several, working moms. Williams, Aces President Nikki Fargas, Jennifer Azzi and her wife Blair Hardiek all have young children. Newly acquired Cayla George and Candace Parker are mothers to infants.
When asked how a facility like this one would help support the working moms of the Aces, GM Williams responded, “We have an on-site family room that includes cribs, toys, and a few other things that will make it comfortable for moms to have their children here while they work.”
Set beside Matter Way, the facility still has a model home, not-quite-lived-in feel. There are plenty of Aces logos, and even a World Champion seal on their court.
However, most of the space is designed as a mirror image of the Raiders brand. Black, silver, and white hues permeate the building. Missing is the signature Las Vegas Aces red color in the training room, weight room, hydrotherapy space, and luxurious player’s lounge.
The Aces training camp begins next week and the team officially kicks off the season on May 20 at an away game against the Seattle Storm.
