LAS VEGAS — It’ll take grit and determination to impress Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, and make the final cut when the defending world champs open their season in Seattle on May 20.

Aces general manager Natalie Williams may have found the right person.

Las Vegas used its only pick of the WNBA Draft to select former Alabama guard Brittany Davis.

“We’re very excited that Brittany Davis was available,” Aces general manager Natalie Williams said. “She’s a great 3-point shooter, she’s very physical, and just a straight gamer. So, we know she is going to come into camp and compete to the best of her ability.”

Davis responded to being selected by quoting an Alabama tweet, “Thank you for this opportunity @LVAces 🫶🏽.”

The two-time all-SEC selection averaged 17.8 points per game as a graduate student for the Crimson Tide this past season. She also grabbed 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while shooting at a 35.5 percent clip from 3-point range.

Davis, who ranked fourth in the conference in scoring, ninth in rebounding and 12th in steals, is Georgia native, where she starred for Greenville High School. She averaged 32 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior to lead the Patriots to their first state championship in 2018.

Her college path began at Gulf Coast State College, where she won the 2019 NJCAA National Championship and was named the Pan Handle Freshman of the Year. In averaging 16.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, Davis finished 15th in the nation with 83 3-pointers.

She transferred to Alabama in 2019 and played in all 30 games, averaging 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. After sitting out the next season to have her daughter, Brielle Waller, she returned and had an immediate impact

This past season, Davis helped Alabama earn its most regular-season and SEC wins in 2023 since 1997-98. The Tide also returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second time under coach Kristy Curry, the first being in 2021 when Davis sat out.

“Brittany’s story is one of perseverance, grit and hard work,” Curry said. “She has worked so hard to put herself in a position to be drafted, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving. I am so incredibly proud for her and her family.”

THE DAVIS FILE:

Brittany Davis
5-foot-11 Guard
Drafted in Round 3, 36th Overall

• Two-time All-SEC honoree including being named to the 2022-23 First Team.
• Scored a career-high 33 points twice during the season, reaching the feat against Baylor in the NCAA Tournament and Missouri during the regular season.
• Tied Alabama’s NCAA Tournament scoring record set by Yolanda Watkins against Duke during the 1995 tournament.
• Broke the single-season school record for 3-point field goals made (93) in 2021-22, previously held by Betsy Harris (91) in 1993-94.
• Finished the 2022-23 season ranked nationally in 11 categories including points per game (17.8), rebounds per game (7.0), steals per game (1.73), 3-point percentage (35.5) and 3-pointers made (71).
• Became a member of the 1,000-point club this season, finishing her collegiate career with 1,336 points.
• Ranks eighth all-time at Alabama in career 3-point field goals made (196).
• Recorded a career-high 17 rebounds against Auburn, the first player to tally 17 or more boards since Erin Hogue recorded 18 against Louisiana Tech in 2011.