Today is Monday, April 27, and 12 days remain until the Las Vegas Aces open the 2026 season. At Dice City Sports, we are counting down to opening tip as the defending champs chase a fourth championship in five years while we rank the top 14 players in franchise history.
Kiah Stokes
Stokes checks in at No. 12 after carving out an important frontcourt role in the Las Vegas era. Across five seasons with the Aces from 2021-25, she played 165 games and averaged 1.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.7 blocks.
Her value goes well beyond scoring. Stokes helped anchor the paint, clean the glass and give the Aces a dependable interior defender during a championship run. She was part of three title teams and started 81 games in Las Vegas. Her best rebounding season with the Aces came in 2023, when she averaged 5.9 rebounds in 40 games.
Why she ranks here
Stokes ranks here because she filled a winning role on championship teams. Her rebounding, rim protection and willingness to do the dirty work made her a key part of the Aces’ title formula.
Background
Stokes was born March 30, 1993, in Marion, Iowa. She starred at UConn and attended Linn-Mar High School in Marion. The New York Liberty selected her with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, and the Aces signed her on July 2, 2021.
Career check
In 321 WNBA games, Stokes averaged 3.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 48.5% from the field. She is a three-time WNBA champion, a 2015 All-Rookie selection and a 2015 All-Defensive pick.
Next up tomorrow: No. 11.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
