The Las Vegas Aces opened the second round of the 2025 WNBA Draft by choosing Alabama’s Aaliyah Nye on Monday night.
As the No. 13 selection, the 6-foot-0 forward was the second Alabama player chosen on Monday night after the Los Angeles Sparks picked Crimson Tide guard Sarah Ashlee Barker at No. 9.
Nye is the 10th player selected from Alabama in a WNBA Draft, and this is the third time that two Tide players have been picked in the same year.
In 1999, the Washington Mystics chose Shalonda Enis at No. 13 and the Detroit Shock picked Dominique Canty at No. 29.
In 2002, the Mystics chose LaNisha Cartwell at No. 33 and the Houston Comets picked Shondra Johnson at No. 42.
A second-team All-SEC selection this season, Nye averaged 15.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 33 games as Alabama advanced to the second round of the NCAA women’s tournament.
For the second season in a row, Nye broke the Alabama single-season record for 3-point baskets. After sinking 108 in the 2023-24 season, she made 109 during the 2024-25 campaign as she became the Crimson Tide’s career leader in buckets beyond the arc.
Nye played three seasons at Alabama after playing two at Illinois. With the Crimson Tide, she averaged 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 97 games.
Nye was the first player picked on Monday night by the Aces, who did not have a first-round selection.
Las Vegas posted a 27-13 regular-season record in 2024 and lost in the semifinals of the playoffs to eventual league champion New York.
The WNBA Draft began on Monday night at The Shed in New York with the Dallas Wings’ choice of Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers.
The WNBA will tip off its 29th season on May 16 as a 13-team league. The Golden State Valkyries have come aboard for the 2025 campaign.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.