LAS VEGAS – The Aces are entering the 2026 season in familiar territory, with a target on their back and the opportunity to enter uncharted territory in WNBA history. Not only did the defending champions retain their franchise-defining trio in A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young by signing them each to fresh post-CBA deals in recent weeks, but they also added an explosive but polarizing guard in Chennedy Carter to the roster.
It wasn’t necessarily a surprising signing. Carter has made several stops throughout her professional basketball journey and has been productive in each, but questions about how she fits into respective locker rooms have lingered in large part because of the tumultuous ending to her time with the Atlanta Dream in 2022.
The Aces have historically embraced players who have dealt with turbulence in the league and have often gotten the best out of them, so it always seemed like Carter would someday be a natural fit to join the fold whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Chennedy Carter tonight
• 18 points
• 5 rebounds
• 2 assists
• 5/10 FG
• 19 minutes played pic.twitter.com/Ld1K0aTjIq— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) April 27, 2026
Meant To Be
Carter herself expressed that sentiment at Tuesday’s Media Day, admitting that she always felt that she would wear an Aces uniform before her playing career ran its course.
“For some reason, I felt like I’ve seen this coming,” Carter said. “I don’t know if I seen it coming now, but I felt like eventually, before my career was over, I’d be an Ace. Just what (Becky Hammon) was telling me, how she felt about me as a player, as a person, it made me comfortable and confident to just say, yes, that I want to come here.”
Carter has been in and out of the WNBA since, and each time she re-enters the league, it quickly becomes apparent that she not only belongs but is one of the premier players in it. The Aces have been on the receiving end of Carter’s performances in the past. She tallied 34 points (one shy of her career high) for the Chicago Sky in a 93-85 upset win in July 2024, making 14-of-24 attempts from the field in the arena that will be her home this season.
Compliments From The GOAT
Chennedy Carter has the nod of approval from the four-time MVP Wilson, who spoke highly of her new teammate, whose signing she had a substantial say in.
A’ja Wilson and her Glam Squad!
(via @dominicjlavoie)pic.twitter.com/6kGxXSN7BZ https://t.co/LDvonOh8pM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 28, 2026
“She’s someone that is going to be a constant threat,” Wilson said. “She’s someone that can score all three levels. I think that is a vital piece to our team, that we needed someone like that. The way that her wheels turn in practice is something that’s pretty impressive. Being so young in this league, she’s constantly trying to figure out holes in the defense, but also get to her spots.
“I think that speaks volumes as the type of player that she is. So it’s been a joy to have her in the locker room. We’re gonna continue to push and help her grow. She’s gonna help us grow. I was an opponent against her when she fried us, and it’s pretty cool to have her in the locker room now, so she won’t be frying us. She’s actually going to be frying other people with our jersey on, which I’m very appreciative of.”
Pushing The Pace
In terms of how Chennedy Carter plans on fitting into the Aces’ already established system, it starts with pushing the ball in transition and giving Gray a bit of a break with ball-handling duties at certain points in the game. That was on display in the Aces’ 94-78 preseason win over Japan, where Carter led the Aces with 18 points, with the Aces holding an 8-2 advantage in fast break points.
“I am SPEED – Lightening McQueen”
-Chennedy Carter #skytown pic.twitter.com/o8UscQYw4J— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 7, 2024
“I feel like I’m one of the best in transition,” Carter said. “We’re going to be able to see that this season. Just making it easier for A’ja, making it easier for Chelsea, Jackie, Jewel, NaLyssa, just trying to find my teammates and come in and really fit. I see a lot of areas where I can help them out, as far as, like, Chelsea not having to bring the ball up, she’s able to spot up because I want to push. There’s a lot of different ways the coaches can rotate us and play us, and I’m really excited to see what we do this season. I feel like it’ll be really electrifying.”
The Aces will play their last preseason game against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. On May 9, they will kick off the regular season in Phoenix against Alyssa Thomas and the Mercury.
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