Kamala Harris Sends Powerful Message To Aces Amid White House Visit
The Las Vegas Aces' aspirations culminated on Friday with a momentous visit to the White House, commemorating their triumphant victory in the 2022 WNBA championship, POLITICO reports.
Vice President Kamala Harris lauded the Aces as exemplars of excellence in every facet, underscoring their leadership qualities.
"Today, we celebrate a group of leaders that define excellence in every way," Vice President Kamala Harris said.
The Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun in a four-game series during the WNBA Finals last year.
This achievement marked the Aces' inaugural title and a historic milestone as Las Vegas' first major professional sports championship.
Warmly received in the East Room of the White House, the WNBA team was welcomed by Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
In her address, the vice president lauded the team's achievements in the previous and ongoing seasons, spotlighting key players like A'ja Wilson, who notably equaled the league record by scoring an impressive 53 points in a single game.
This White House visit was set in motion when A'ja Wilson inquired about the team's visit plans on platform X (previously known as Twitter) following President Joe Biden's congratulatory message to the NHL's Golden Knights for their Stanley Cup victory.
Responding swiftly, the team received an invitation to the White House for the summer.
Initially scheduled for President Biden and his wife, Jill, to host the Aces, the hosting role transitioned to Vice President Harris after President Biden extended a family vacation, underscoring the significance of this momentous occasion.
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Vice President Kamala Harris' Strong Message to Las Vegas Aces
Vice President Kamala Harris extolled the Las Vegas Aces for their role model status and dedicated service to the community of Las Vegas through their team foundation.
She praised their commitment to various causes, including supporting student health and mental wellness, advocating for equal pay for women athletes, and championing broader rights and freedoms, according to ESPN.
Harris also lauded the Aces for their vocal support of Brittney Griner, the Phoenix Mercury star who was wrongfully detained in Russia for 10 months before being released in a high-profile prisoner exchange.
The Aces' organized advocacy was pivotal in raising awareness about Griner's situation and rallying support for her cause.
In Harris' words, the Aces' impactful contributions extend beyond the realm of basketball.
They have fervently fought for rights such as the right to vote and advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.
The broader narrative, according to Harris, is that the WNBA serves as a source of inspiration to the nation's youth and people across the country, igniting ambitious, dreams, and aspirations.
Las Vegas Aces Break WNBA Record with 16-Point Comeback Against Chicago Sky
The Las Vegas Aces have certainly displayed their championship caliber once again.
The reigning WNBA champions achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the league's record for regular season wins, notching their 30th victory with a stunning 16-point comeback against the Chicago Sky. With six games left in the season, the Aces' record stands at an impressive 30-4, per Yahoo! Sports.
Surpassing the previous record set by the 2014 Phoenix Mercury, who held a 29-5 record, the Aces' accomplishment becomes even more remarkable given the expansion of the WNBA schedules. Teams now compete in a record 40 games starting from this season onwards.
In their latest victory against the Chicago Sky, Jackie Young played a pivotal role with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum also secured double-doubles, while Kelsey Plum closely followed Young with 23 points.
With the WNBA playoffs scheduled to commence on September 13, the Aces have six more opportunities to solidify their impressive record and pave the way for a promising postseason journey.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
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