Las Vegas Aces guard Tiffany Hayes has been named the 2024 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, a remarkable achievement following her return from retirement.
Hayes, who came out of retirement to help bolster the Aces’ title aspirations, has proven to be a pivotal contributor off the bench, averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
At 35 years old, Hayes made an immediate impact for the Aces this season, playing an average of 21 minutes per game and delivering critical performances.
This marks a stunning comeback for Hayes, who had announced her retirement in December 2023 after 11 seasons in the league.
She spent the majority of her career with the Atlanta Dream, where she was drafted in 2012 out of UConn, before playing one season with the Connecticut Sun in 2023.
In May 2024, the Aces signed Hayes, hoping to bolster their roster for a third consecutive championship run.
The veteran guard played a key role for Las Vegas, ranking fourth in points per game on a team full of stars.
Hayes earned 38 of the 67 total votes for the prestigious Sixth Player of the Year award, with New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich finishing second with 21 votes.
This honor marks the fifth time in six seasons that an Aces player has won the award, following Alysha Clark in 2023, Kelsey Plum in 2021, and Dearica Hamby, who won it in 2019 and 2020.
The Aces now find themselves in a win-or-go-home situation as they face the New York Liberty in the semifinals.
Currently down 2-0 in the best-of-five series, Las Vegas is hoping Hayes’ veteran presence and leadership can help spark a comeback.
