1 week Ago By Callie Lawson-Freeman
WASHINGTON — The Aces are returning to the White House to celebrate their back-to-back championships. Thursday’s visit, scheduled for 1 p.m.
Pacific time, will honor the team’s victory over the New York Liberty for the 2023 WNBA title. The team will be hosted by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden. The Aces will end the whirlwind weekend with a trip to South Carolina for their only preseason game.
Last year, Harris hosted the Aces after the Bidens extended a vacation at the last minute. Joined by her husband, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Harris applauded the 2022 winners for the “grit and determination” they showcased en route to defeating the Connecticut Sun and bringing home Nevada’s first major professional sports championship. The Aces’ display of perseverance continued last season, as they became the first WNBA franchise to win a repeat championship since 2002.
They accomplished the feat without 2022 Finals MVP Chelsea Gray and center Kiah Stokes, who were sidelined with injuries for the title-clinching Game 4. Last season’s effort was led by star forward A’ja Wilson, who earned the Finals MVP title after being named defensive player of the year for the regular season. Wilson, the 2022 regular-season MVP, will be further honored as the weekend continues.
After the White House visit, the Aces will go to Wilson’s alma mater for an exhibition game against the Puerto Rico national team at Columbia’s Colonial L.
