Tiffany Hayes is officially coming to the Bay Area — and she's bringing her elite guarding and scoring to the Golden State Valkyries.
Signing Hayes away from the Las Vegas Aces is a major win for the new team (and for Hayes, who reportedly signed a $200,000 contract). The Valkyries have been in need of a guard who can lead, and both GM Ohemaa Nyanin and Head Coach Natalie Nakase have reiterated the team's emphasis on drafting shooters.
Hayes averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a 3-pointer percentage of 40% last year for Las Vegas. Those stats are an excellent foundation for Golden State, who have the space to allow Hayes to build the expansion team from the ground up.
The Valkyries' starting line-up is beginning to take shape
The addition of Hayes means the Valkyries' starting line-up is officially beginning to take shape. Hayes will undoubtedly be the team's starting guard, and a Hayes-Vanloo backcourt is something that's will be exciting to see in action.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but the Valkyries' potential starting lineup now looks a little like this: Vanloo, Hayes, Thornton, Fagbenle, and the recently signed French forward Janelle Salaün — but even that depends on what the team decides to do with their remaining cap space, because they still have plenty left.
GM Nyanin praised Hayes' dynamicism
"Tiffany is a dynamic scorer who can change the momentum of a game in an instant," Nyanin said in a statement to ESPN. "Beyond her on-court impact, she brings an infectious energy and selfless approach that elevates everyone around her. Her willingness to contribute in any way needed, combined with her defensive intensity and scoring ability will add another important piece to what we're building here in the Bay Area."
The move to San Francisco will also reunite Hayes with Nakase, who served as her assistant coach on the Aces. "Having coached Tiffany last season in Las Vegas, I know firsthand the impact she brings both on and off the court," Nakase told ESPN. "Her versatility, intensity, and ability to score will be invaluable as we build our team's identity. She's also an exceptional mentor who understands what it takes to play, and succeed, at the highest level."
Hayes was drafted to the WNBA in 2012
Hayes, who played for UConn at the collegiate level, was a second-round pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. She played for the Atlanta Dream between 2012 and 2022. In 2023 she played a season for the Connecticut Sun before announcing her retirement from professional basketball.
But basketball kept calling, and Hayes signed to the Aces midseason in 2024.