It’s no secret that one of the hardest things to do in the WNBA is actually make a roster.
Each WNBA team holds just 12 roster spots, making the weeks between the WNBA Draft and the beginning of the regular season the most bittersweet. For a championship-contending team like the Las Vegas Aces with a strong veteran core, making a roster seems exponentially harder.
Despite another deep run in last year’s playoffs, the Aces added three young rookies to their roster: Aaliyah Nye, Harmoni Turner, and Deja Kelly. While they all have unique strengths that could bolster Vegas’ chances of winning another WNBA title, the challenge of making the roster remains the same for them all.
With limited spots to fight for in Vegas and several players locked into the 2025 team, will any of Vegas’ new rookies make the final regular-season roster?
Aaliyah Nye: Deadly from Deep
There is a long list of skills that Aaliyah Nye brings to the table as a rookie, but none of them are greater than her three-point shooting ability.
Thanks to her quick release and smooth jumper, Nye was one of the premier three-point shooters throughout her collegiate career. In fact, after three years at Alabama, she has the second-highest three-point percentage in SEC history (43.9%). She shot a career-high 45.5% from beyond the arc in her senior year at Alabama, stretching defenses and making them pay for late rotations and closeouts.
Nye excelled the most in situations when she played off the ball. Her ability to find open space in half-court sets and run the floor in transition made her one of the best catch-and-shoot guards in the country.
Under Becky Hammon, the Aces have completely transformed into a team looking to space the floor and push the pace in transition. This is the exact system Nye excelled in during her three years at Alabama.
Additionally, the Aces have been in a similar position with a second-round talent before. Last season, Vegas selected Kate Martin with the 18th pick. Thanks to her always-ready mentality and plug-and-play ability, Martin meshed well with the bench unit and made the most of her time on the floor. Nye, a much better shooter than Martin, would be able to fill this role beautifully on Vegas’ revamped bench unit.
Potentially playing alongside Dana Evans and Tiffany Mitchell, two newly acquired vets, Nye would be able to continue to do what she does best: shoot the lights out of every arena she walks into.
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Harmoni Turner: Dynamic Scoring 101
Harmoni Turner burst on the scene in her senior year with numerous big-time performances.
Turner logged 19 20-point games this season, including two games scoring over 40. As the season progressed, Turner solidified herself as a name to look out for in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Turner averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists en route to being named the 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award, showcasing the best of her skillset every step of the way.
Despite being 5-foot-7, Turner has the heart of a warrior and a motor matched by few in this year’s draft class. In more ways than one, many comparisons can be drawn between Turner and Aces head coach Becky Hammon. Much like Hammon did in her day, Turner plays with a chip on her shoulder. The tough, fearless approach Hammon brought during her playing days can be seen in Turner’s approach to the game.
Turner is most dangerous with the ball in her hands, utilizing her quickness, creativity, and footwork to get to her spots and create offense for herself. If Turner can continue to showcase that tenacity during training camp, the Aces will be left no choice but to include her in the final roster. Vegas’ starting and bench backcourt is loaded with talent, but Turner possesses the grit and toughness necessary to make it.
Deja Kelly: Unmatched Experience
After five years of college experience, Kelly has proven she has what it takes to be a lead guard at the next level.
Of all the players in the 2025 WNBA Draft classified as guards, only three played more games in college than Kelly. Her game is polished and impactful. She controls the pace of the offense, makes the right decisions, and maintains poise during big moments in tight games. Additionally, she takes care of the ball and is effective in the pick-and-roll. Even though she is another undersized guard, her experience and wealth of knowledge should help her transition to the WNBA smoothly.
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The Aces have been on a dynastic trajectory thanks to A’ja Wilson‘s dominance and exceptional guard play. Learning from Chelsea Gray would only enhance Kelly’s basketball IQ and improve her ability to run a WNBA offense.
Vegas currently has a logjam in the guard rotation after Jewell Loyd, Jackie Young, and Gray. Even with the acquisitions of Dana Evans and Tiffany Mitchell in the offseason, Kelly could rely on her wealth of knowledge and experience to separate herself from her fellow rookies. Her willingness to fit the mold of Hammon’s offense could make her an attractive addition to Vegas’ roster as a young, trustworthy backup.
Final Thoughts
The journey will be tough. The challenge will be great. The hill will be steep.
However, making the final roster will be worth every obstacle they overcome. There’s no denying the value each of these players would bring to the Aces. Unfortunately, their destiny is not in their hands. The best they can do is put on stellar performances in training camp and earn their spot the hard way. Nye’s deadeye shooting will enhance Vegas’ floor-spacing ability. Turner’s shot creation will provide another scoring punch off the bench. Kelly’s experience will complement everything Vegas is looking to do.
The question remains: will any of it be enough for these rookies to secure a permanent home in Vegas?
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