Aces excited to keep core intact after Kelsey Plum’s extension

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) reaches for hand of forward A'ja Wilson (22) after scoring a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, June 25, 2022. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson celebrate after a play against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of a WNBA basketball game on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) and Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) react to a big offensive play in the second half during a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Michelob ULTRA Arena, in Las Vegas.(Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas Aces players communicate in between plays during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. From left, guard Jackie Young, forward A’ja Wilson, guard Kelsey Plum, center Kiah Stokes and forward Theresa Plaisance. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Aces forward A’ja Wilson, guard Chelsea Gray and coach Becky Hammon didn’t know that guard Kelsey Plum had agreed to a contract extension before Sunday’s game at the Connecticut Sun. Their reactions after hearing the news said enough about what it means to them.
Wilson’s jaw dropped, Gray pounded her fist against the table and Hammon grabbed both of them, unable to contain her smile at the postgame news conference.
“We’re starting to make personal investments — as a team — into each other,” Hammon said. “That’s really what’s going to pay dividends down the road.
“I know, for myself, I’m super thrilled to get everybody back, and happy they want to stay.”
Plum’s two-year extension means the starting five are all under contract through the 2023 season. She is the fourth member of the team to sign a new contract this season, following wing Jackie Young, forward Dearica Hamby and Gray.
Young, Hamby, Gray and Plum are signed through the 2024 season. Wilson signed a two-year extension as a restricted free agent in the offseason that keeps her under contract through 2023.
The five will be on the court Tuesday when the Aces (18-7) host the Atlanta Dream (11-14) at 7 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena. The Aces are 3-0 — all three road wins — since the All-Star break.
Gray said the team’s ability to keep the core together will be important for its success. The Aces are focused on winning the franchise’s first championship this season, but hope to build a squad capable of contending for years.
Gray cited the Houston Comets of the late 1990s — led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson — and the Minnesota Lynx of the past decade, who featured Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson, as dynasties the Aces hope to emulate.
Gray said she thinks the consistent personnel on those teams helped them win multiple titles.
“You get a familiarity,” Gray said. “You challenge each other. You respect one another. That’s what we’re building here.”
Gray used her nonverbal assist to Hamby during Sunday’s 91-83 win over the Sun as an example of the benefits of playing with the same group for an extended period. She knows where certain players want to catch a pass, which side of a screen teammates want to run around and shooting tendencies.
Gray and Wilson also believe the chemistry the team has developed off the court is equally important. The Aces spent their extra day before Sunday’s game making a video featuring Wilson lip-syncing Gucci Mane’s 2010 hit “I Think I Love Her” while the rest of the team danced in the background. It went viral, with 292,000 views on Twitter and more than 34,000 on TikTok after two days.
@_ajawilson22 pic.twitter.com/2K34hJIfCu https://t.co/LHx5GpDU9c
— Hip Hop (@_DITRHipHop) July 16, 2022
“You have a short period of time when you’re going to be playing professional basketball with these women, so you’ve got to enjoy it,” Gray said.
Wilson added: “You’ve got to have fun with it, and I appreciate everyone putting up with that foolishness. We’ll be back with more foolishness.”
Contact reporter Andy Yamashita at ayamashita@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ANYamashita on Twitter.
Game day
Who: Aces (18-7) vs. Atlanta Dream (11-14)
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Michelob Ultra Arena
TV: NBAtv, LVTV-12
Radio: KWWN (100.9 FM, 1100 AM)