The anticipation continues to build throughout Nevada for the 2018 WNBA season as it will be the inaugural season for the Las Vegas Aces.
It will not be, though, the inaugural season for Bill Laimbeer as a WNBA head coach as he is joining the Aces after a stint with the New York Liberty.
Laimbeer was on KLAS-TV CBS 8 to talk more about the upcoming debut and also introduce his coaching staff.
The first person Laimbeer introduced was Kelly Schumacher-Raimon who joins the Aces from the Chicago Sky and formerly played for both UConn and the Detroit Shock. Vicki Johnson is a name that will get the attention of many displaced San Antonio Stars fans as she will also be part of Laimbeer’s staff after a coaching stint with the Stars.
It’s a lot of work and I give all the credit to MGM and the resources they’ve put behind it. They have a lot of people working on this.
–Bill Laimbeer, head coach, Las Vegas Aces
I’m really excited. It’s a great opportunity for me, for my coaching career to work alongside people like Bill and Vicki with a lot of experience. And also to be in the city of Las Vegas.
–Kelly Schumacher-Raimon, assistant coach, Las Vegas Aces
Schumacher-Raimon says she has asked people in the Las Vegas area if they have heard of the Aces and she says she has received lots of positive feedback on the WNBA team.
I’m super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of something great. To build a franchise from the ground up, and also to be able to work on the side of Bill is incredible.
–Vicki Johnson, assistant coach, Las Vegas Aces
Laimbeer was asked what is the current challenge with a coaching staff having been assembled. He mentioned players – particularly the top pick in this year’s WNBA Draft which the Aces have along with the top pick in the second round.
With new free agency, you’ve got some quality players, some good veterans to go with our young stars.
Chris Matthews, the KLAS-TV CBS 8 sports director asked Schumacher-Raimon what will be the draw to get people to head to the Mandalay Bay Events Center to catch an Aces game. She said the great athletes and mentioned, in her opinion, that people sometimes underestimate how many great athletes permeate the WNBA.
Johnson talked about getting the opportunity to witness great basketball in a city such as Las Vegas.
The Aces will be on the road at Mohegan Sun Arena to face the Connecticut Sun to start the season on May 20 – part of the “WNBA All Day” marathon of games. The Aces’ first home contest will be on May 25 when they take on Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd and the Seattle Storm.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
