The Las Vegas Aces lost their three veteran guards this free agency, and honestly, that void isn’t going to be easy to fill. But, they’re finally making some moves to bring in experienced talent, and in the process, they’re rekindling some old collegiate connections. Upcoming season, we’re going to see two of South Carolina’s most decorated Gamecocks back on the same team: A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell.

But you know what? Mitchell was this close to signing with the Seattle Storm. Yes, a four-time champion franchise had her on their radar, and a deal seemed all but done, per W reporter Roberta F. Rodrigues. But something changed at the last minute.

We would like to assume it was the chance to reunite with her former college teammate. Now, after spending a long stint with the Indiana Fever before short stops with the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun, she is heading to Las Vegas, reported Callie Lawson-Freeman of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

As for her role, it looks like the 30-year-old will be stepping into the shoes of Tiffany Hayes, who won the WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year award last season.

Hayes was a spark plug off the bench. While Mitchell isn’t necessarily that kind of scorer, her versatility and experience could be just what the Aces need to keep their second unit strong.

And not to forget the chemistry factor. Wilson and Mitchell played together at South Carolina for two years before Mitchell went pro, and their impact on the program was so huge that both of their jerseys now hang in the rafters. That kind of connection doesn’t fade, and it could give the Aces an edge next season.

While the ex-Sun star’s career stats—8.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game—don’t exactly scream superstar, she’s been a reliable combo guard throughout her seven-year WNBA career. 

She’s got a lightning-quick first step, solid passing instincts, and the ability to break down defenses, creating open looks for her teammates. Although she had a down season last year, that was said to be largely due to Connecticut’s spacing issues. 

With the Aces’ more open offensive system, she should be in a much better position to thrive. So, basically, there’s a lot to look forward to with this addition. 

But before we get too ahead of ourselves, are you also wondering: why was she out last season in the first place?

Why was A’ja Wilson’s new teammate sidelined last season?

Tiffany Mitchell’s absence after the Olympic break from the court last year was initially labeled as “illness,” but the full story didn’t come out until she shared it herself on Instagram. And it was serious.

A severe battle with sepsis forced her to step away from the Sun halfway through the WNBA season. She spent weeks in the hospital undergoing treatment, blood transfusions, and multiple surgeries to repair six abdominal abscesses. It was a brutal fight, but she kept pushing through.

Mitchell finally returned to Connecticut in early September, making her first public appearance with the Sun ahead of a game against Las Vegas. On September 23 (her birthday), she posted about her recovery, writing, “Overcoming sepsis with 6 abdominal abscesses is a miracle.” 

In the videos she shared, Mitchell talked about how tough the recovery was. The whole hoop world showered their wishes in the comments section at that time. 

And through it all, she credits her mom, friends, family, and the Sun organization for their support. The baller slowly worked her way back onto the court, starting with stationary shots before progressing to movement drills and footwork.

By the time the playoffs rolled around in late September, she was seen sprinting the sidelines. It wasn’t until the Sun’s semifinal series against Minnesota that she was fully back at practice.

Now, with a full offseason to get back into game shape, Tiffany Mitchell is ready to hit the court but with the Aces this time. We hope she’s in top health and ready to contribute to a team gunning for another championship. 

Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned about “Tiff,” it’s that she’s a fighter and we can’t wait to see what she does in Las Vegas with A’ja Wilson.