In December of 2023, Tiffany Hayes announced her retirement from the WNBA, changing courses to strictly play overseas and spend her summers on her business and community pursuits. In May of 2024, Hayes signed with the Las Vegas Aces and returned to the league. Mainly coming off of the bench for the Aces, Hayes averaged 9.5 points per game in the regular season, shooting 50% from the field.
While the Aces’ run ended in the semifinals series against the New York Liberty, she was a crucial piece to the team’s postseason success. She thrived off the bench, earning her the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award. Inspiring to all athletes, especially those with a new team or role, Hayes found a way to embrace her assignment, stay authentic, and make the most of her opportunities.
Own Your Role
Hayes maximized every minute on the floor for the Aces, an energy catalyst in their 2024 success. A WNBA veteran in her twelfth season, this assignment evolved from her past seasons, when she started most games. Rather than seeing this new role as a negative, Hayes owned it, stepping up to the challenge of being a spark off the bench. “I’m just not the type that really cares whether I start or come off the bench…It just so happens that I’ve always started,” Hayes told SB Nation. “I’m really okay with whatever I have to do for the team. If it was gonna help us win, then I’m cool with it.”
The Sixth Player of the Year also gave credit to her teammates, praising the unit that comes in and boosts the starters. “We have been able to bring a lot of that energy off the bench for the games. We do a great job when we come in the game, to give the starters that little boost that they may or may not need on any given night. Just sticking with that role and making sure that I’m bringing that day in and day out,” Hayes told The Next. This adaptability and willingness to fill any need helped steady the Aces.
Shine in Your Versatility
Hayes averaged more points off the bench than any WNBA player this season. Her quick-burst offense and tenacious defense made her a valuable addition to the Aces roster. At the Paris Olympics, Hayes represented Azerbaijan on their 3-on-3 national team. Hayes is versatile on and off the court, and she shines in her individual strengths while keeping a team-first mindset.
“I’m just not the type that really cares whether I start or come off the bench…I’m really okay with whatever I have to do for the team. If it was gonna help us win, then I’m cool with it.”
Along with her stylish tunnel fits, she also has a clothing brand, Seyah Renara, styled on her Aces’ teammates and officially launching soon. Hayes also gives back to the community as the founder of a basketball gym in Atlanta. Staying authentic and following her passions have contributed to the longevity in her career.
Hayes also worked towards multifaceted leadership. She embraced her strengths of leading by example but pushed herself to use her VOICE as her team needed. “Being a person who’s talking a lot more. I’ve always been a leader by example, so I think I still am that, but…I definitely have been working on adding more voice to my leadership role,” Hayes said. This confidence to stay unique, while also working to be a better teammate, makes Hayes special.
Stay Open to Opportunity
Hayes spent most of her career with the Atlanta Dream and her 2023 season with the Connecticut Sun. After announcing her WNBA retirement, she planned on playing overseas basketball and focusing on her personal and business goals. Instead, she received an opportunity to join the Las Vegas Aces and took it.
This move back to the league was unexpected, but Hayes finds gratitude in her situation, one that was right for her. “(Coach) got me straight off of the beach. You know, my mind was on the beach. My body was on the beach,” Hayes told The Next. “So they give me a lot of grace, and I’m grateful for that. And I just think this is just a whole new system, a whole new place, a whole new role for me.” This new role proved to be a great fit for Hayes, evident in her energy, production, and the Aces’ achievements.
Hayes battled with her Aces teammates to the WNBA semifinals against the New York Liberty, eventually falling short three games to one. While a championship is always the goal, the Aces ended with a positive season, winning 27 games. Hayes’ teamwork, versatility, and growth were a key component to their success and proved that in owning your role, you can shine as a starter or coming off the bench.
