Aaliyah Nye, a rookie guard, has been selected by the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA expansion draft, signaling her departure from the Las Vegas Aces. The expansion draft, which introduced the Tempo and the Portland Fire as new franchises, saw Nye chosen with the No. 8 overall pick by Toronto. This move occurs as the Aces face roster changes, though superstar A’ja Wilson has publicly stated her commitment to remaining in Las Vegas.
Nye, who was the No. 13 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, played a contributing role in her rookie season. She appeared in 44 regular-season games, averaging 3.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 15.3 minutes per contest. Her contributions included showcasing sharp 3-point shooting, earning praise from Aces coach Becky Hammon. Despite not always starting, Nye demonstrated a consistent work ethic and dedication, reportedly making few mistakes and maintaining a professional demeanor.
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The selection of Nye marks a recurrence for the Aces, who have now lost a rookie in an expansion draft for the second consecutive year. While the team expressed sadness at her departure, they extended well wishes for her continued career. For Nye, this move to Toronto presents an opportunity for a potentially larger role in her second professional season. The Tempo, along with the Portland Fire, are in the process of building their inaugural rosters, selecting a combined 22 players across two rounds.
The Las Vegas Aces are now navigating the free agency period with no players currently under contract. The league’s attention will next turn to the WNBA Draft scheduled for April 13.
Background: A Glimpse into Nye's Journey
Aaliyah Nye’s path to the WNBA was characterized by a persistent work ethic, particularly noted in her collegiate career. Originally from East Lansing, she was not a highly recruited player but consistently focused on improvement, notably her 3-point shooting ability. She set an Alabama career record for made 3-pointers during her final three seasons there.
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Beyond her athletic career, Nye is a tribal citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe). Her family includes her parents, James Nye and LaQueena Douglas, and she is one of four children. Her father played football at Albion College. Nye's rookie season with the Aces included participation in the 2025 WNBA Championship, where the team secured its third consecutive title. The Aces have also been active in community initiatives, including the refurbishment of basketball courts in North Las Vegas, where they held a clinic for local youth players.
