New look, same hunger: Sights and sounds from Aces media day

The Las Vegas Aces have embraced plenty of new developments as the WNBA enters a new era.

As the reigning champions hosted their media day on Tuesday ahead of the 2026 season, those changes were on full display.

From newly increased salaries thanks to the league’s new collective bargaining agreement to new faces on the roster and new hairstyles, the Aces felt like a team injected with fresh energy.

The preseason promotional event was even hosted at a new venue this year, pivoting to LMG studios after three straight years at Vu Studios.

Despite a new look and feel, Aces point guard Chelsea Gray asserted that one key trait remains the same. The team Gray joined as a free agent in 2021 is pursuing what would be its fourth championship in the five years since head coach Becky Hammon took the helm. Along with Gray, four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and million-dollar guard Jackie Young headline the returning core. They’re looking to stack championships again after the Aces won two consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023.

“Hunger is still prevalent with this group, just because we’re chasing something that hasn’t been done before,” said Gray, a four-time WNBA champion entering her 12th year in the league. “I don’t think anybody’s ever gone back-to-back on two different occasions. It’s really, really hard to do. And to do it with this group would be extremely special.”

Gray’s answer was a nod to Hammon describing her group as a pack of “hungry wolves” at media day last year.

Although Hammon didn’t address the media on Tuesday, the sights and sounds were many.

Here are some highlights:

Hair and flair

Wilson has made a tradition of debuting a new hairstyle for media day every year since she donned a silver wig to pose for photos and answer interview questions in 2024.

Last year, Wilson opted for bright pink hair with bone straight bangs to align with the first release of her Nike signature shoe, the A’One.

Wilson, 29, came out with curled red hair parted to the side on Tuesday. Her glam team joined her as she first sat at the podium, touching up her makeup before she gave reporters her full attention.

In addition to matching with a new colorway of her A’Two, set to be released on May 2, Wilson’s hair was inspired by X-Men founding member Jean Gray.

“Just something about just changing my hair a little bit for media day. I think it brings me a little bit of joy that the season’s beginning,” Wilson said. “(Gray’s) a superhero that is pretty, pretty powerful. I kind of went with this just to kind of give me those vibes and my shoes match it.”

For the record, Gray had power so immense that she had to sacrifice herself so she wouldn’t destroy the entire universe. That’s a pretty foreboding message to the rest of the league.

Young, nicknamed the “Silent Assassin,” also went with a standout hair choice.

Atop her black, straight tresses, a white leopard print cascaded from the top of her head.

“Where did I get it from? I don’t know,” Young said. “I just switched it up.”

Although Young said there’s no deeper message or inspiration, Young said she’s embracing more ball-handling duties this season. The elusive nature of a snow leopard would certainly come in handy.

Even fifth-year forward Kierstan Bell was wearing a new level of confidence, along with gold grillz on her teeth that Wilson couldn’t help but stop to compliment from the back of the room as she interrupted Bell’s time with reporters.

For forward NaLyssa Smith, who was traded to the Aces in the middle of last season, the media day look was subtle.

She braided her blonde hair, a move away from her signature mane — and looked noticeably lighter.

Smith told the Review-Journal during training camp that she lost a significant amount of weight during the offseason by cutting out distractions and boxing, along with other training focused on her agility and conditioning.

“The talent has been there. It’s just I haven’t been in the best shape. I haven’t had the best mindset,” Smith said Tuesday. “And I feel like (now, it’s) just being around people that embrace me and push me.”

New team identity: playing fast

The Aces have five newcomers this season. The group, headlined by guard Chennedy Carter, also features forwards Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner, along with rookies Janiah Barker and Jordan Obi.

They’re all aligned on what defines the Aces’ new identity.

“We have a lot of dynamic guards and we’re going to play fast and we’re going to play a fun style,” Talbot said. “We want to push the ball. We want to run the floor and play in transition as much as we can.”

Carter is expected to be one of the main reasons the Aces can do that.

“I’m really excited to see what we do this season,” Carter said. “I feel like it’ll be really electrifying.”