The Las Vegas Aces are bringing back two familiar faces — Kiah Stokes and Sydney Colson — as they prepare for a shot at a third consecutive WNBA title.
The ‘rim protector’ and the ‘face of the league’ are back!
On Feb. 1, the Aces announced the re-signing of Kiah Stokes and Sydney Colson. They’re both returning on two-year deals that will keep them with the team through the 2025 season.
The team wasted no time in bringing back two of their most important role players. Teams started talking to free agents on Jan. 21, but they couldn’t make anything official until Feb. 1.
Now, it’s official.
Kiah Stokes is a ‘consummate professional’
Kiah Stokes is entering her ninth season in the WNBA and third full season with the Aces. She joined the team halfway through the 2021 season.
Since then, she has played in 86 regular season games (averaging 2.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game) and 23 playoff games (averaging 2.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game) with the Aces.
Kiah Stokes, Hall of Famer. Yeah, we love the sound of that.
Congrats, @kstokes41 ???? pic.twitter.com/DfYirTmmdI
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 3, 2024
“We are so happy to re-sign our two-time WNBA champion center, Kiah Stokes. She is a consummate professional, a rim protector and our secret 3-point shooter,” said Natalie Williams, the GM of the Aces, in a statement. “Kiah is family, and we are blessed to have her back for two more years.”
Stokes played a major role in the Aces’ back-to-back championship runs. She was the starting center for all 18 of their playoff games during that span, and helped fill the void last season when Candace Parker went down with a season-ending injury.
???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????! The back-to-back Champ is staying in Las Vegas! @kstokes41 ???????? pic.twitter.com/nmU9pALGpK
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 1, 2024
Having her back means the Aces have one of the best rebounders in the league — a valuable asset to have alongside A’ja Wilson.
Sydney Colson is the ‘face of the league’
Colson is entering her 10th season in the WNBA and seventh season with the franchise (third stint).
She was a member of the San Antonio Silver Stars for three years (2015-17) before they made the move to Sin City. She rejoined the team for one year in 2019, and returned in 2022 — playing a big part in the Aces’ back-to-back titles.
???????????? @SydJColson pic.twitter.com/bzlzbY0gx0
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 5, 2024
“I’m excited to re-sign with the Aces because I love this organization and I truly feel like we’re a team in every sense of the word,” Colson said in a statement. “Every year I play in this league is a blessing, and I hope every player, no matter what their role is, understands that. I don’t take anything for granted because I know the days of giving these quotes are limited. But until that day comes, I’m all in!”
She might spend a lot of her time on the bench, but she’s one of the best teammates in the league, and there’s a reason the Aces call her ‘the face of the league.’ She’s always making people laugh, always lighting up the room, and is as vocal as anyone.
???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ????????
The Aces have re-signed @SydJColson! pic.twitter.com/rSamghq8dx
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 1, 2024
And when you need her on the court, she’s there.
The Aces inserted Colson into the lineup for Game 4 of last season’s WNBA Finals — a title-clinching game that saw the Aces down three starters. She played 15 minutes in that game and finished with just two points, but her five fouls helped disrupt and dismantle the New York Liberty’s high-powered offense.
The Aces only won by one point, but the team was +17 with Colson on the floor.
The Las Vegas Aces will open the 2024 season on May 14 against the Phoenix Mercury.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
