Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
Vice President Kamala Harris is presented with a Las Vegas Aces jersey by Aces’ A’ja Wilson, left, and Chelsea Gray, right, during a ceremony welcoming the Las Vegas Aces to the White House to celebrate their 2022 WNBA Championship in the East Room, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Washington.
Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 | 4:50 p.m.
Vice President Kamala Harris led a White House celebration Friday for the Las Vegas Aces to mark their 2022 championship, telling the contingent of her pride in their performance — both on and off the court.
“It was only five years ago that this franchise moved to Las Vegas, and now they are the first major professional sports team in Nevada history — in Nevada history — to win a championship, and that’s because this team defines grit and determination,” Harris said.
The noteworthy performances extended off the court, Harris said. She praised the Aces for being role models and leaders outside of the arena by serving the Las Vegas community through a team foundation, supporting student health and mental wellness, and pushing for equal pay for female athletes and all women.
“Our nation’s stronger because of your leadership,” the vice president said. “For example, when an American citizen was wrongfully detained abroad, you organized and advocated in a ferocious, extraordinary way. You organized folks, you lifted up the issue, you helped educate folks about what was at stake, all in support of Brittney Griner.”
Griner was detained last year in Russia on drug charges in early 2022 after officials at a Moscow airport found vape cartridges they said contained oil derived from cannabis in her luggage. She faced a 9-year prison term, but was released on a prisoner swap last December. The U.S. labeled her as wrongfully detained, and President Joe Biden’s administration worked months to secure her freedom.
The Aces are in the nation’s capital in the midst of a four-game eastern road trip. They defeated the Chicago Sky 94-87 Thursday to win a WNBA-record 30th game in the regular season.
Harris was complimentary of the Aces for their work not only last season, but their record pace this year.
The vice president touched on Aces’ star A’ja Wilson, the “pride of Columbia, South Carolina,” and noted her WNBA record-tying 53-point game Tuesday in Atlanta.
Following the ceremony, Aces president Nikki Fargas — along with Finals MVP Chelsea Gray and Wilson — presented Harris with a custom-made Aces jersey with the No. 49, honoring the 49th vice president of the United States. a “Harris” nameplate was affixed to the jersey’s back.
Fargas, hired as Aces president in May 2021, thanked Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff for the opportunity to celebrate at the White House, adding that the timing was perfect with today being Women’s Equity Day.
She also thanked Aces owner Mark Davis for putting the right pieces at the helm — from the hiring of general manager Natalie Williams and naming Becky Hammon the second coach since the franchise relocated from San Antonio in 2018.
“As I look back at the group assembled on this stage, I know that the future is incredibly bright for our franchise, for the WNBA, and for those little girls out there who aspire for greatness,” Fargas said.
The Aces won’t be the only team from Las Vegas to visit the White House for long. The Vegas Golden Knights could make their trip to the Oval Office in November when they head to Washington to play the Capitals.
With their win Thursday, the Aces clinched a top-2 seed in the WNBA Playoffs in their attempt to repeat as champions. They are still the clear betting favorites to win the 2023 title, with the New York Liberty the No. 2 choice.
“They remind everyone that Las Vegas is so much more than just 4 miles on the Strip,” Harris said. “Because in addition to being champions on the court, these leaders are role models and leaders off the court.”
[email protected] / 702-259-8814 / @DannyWebster21
