The Las Vegas Aces have signed center Kalani Brown to take the roster spot of NaLyssa Smith, who will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a leg injury. The team announced the move on Saturday.
Brown, 29, played for the Phoenix Mercury last season, averaging 5.1 points and 4 rebounds in 29 games while shooting 62% from the floor. The daughter of NBA veteran P.J. Brown, she was the 2019 first-round pick of the Sparks (No. 7 overall) out of Baylor.
Overall, Brown has played six WNBA seasons, also suiting up for the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. The 6-foot-7 center also has six years of international experience, playing in China, Turkey and Israel. In EuroCup competition, she averaged 20.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
“The Las Vegas Aces are thrilled to welcome Kalani to the family,” Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas said in a statement.
“She brings an extremely diverse defensive skillset, has a great paint presence and is a strong rebounder,” she added. “Kalani has made such an impact on each team she’s played for and will have continued success in an Aces uniform.”
“The Las Vegas Aces are thrilled to welcome Kalani to the family,” Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas said in a statement.
“She brings an extremely diverse defensive skillset, has a great paint presence and is a strong rebounder,” she added. “Kalani has made such an impact on each team she’s played for and will have continued success in an Aces uniform.”
The Aces signed Brown after losing forward NaLyssa Smith for the season with a non-contract leg injury suffered in Sunday’s 88-78 win over the Toronto Tempo.
Smith started all 38 games she played this season for the Aces and led the WNBA with a 63.8% field-goal percentage while averaging 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.
The Aces currently hold the No. 3 seed in the WNBA playoff standings at 27-13 and have four games remaining on their regular-season schedule. But those will be played after the WNBA goes on a two-week hiatus while players participate in the FIBA World Cup tournament in Berlin.
Las Vegas’ first game after the break will be Sept. 17, visiting the Seattle Storm. That gives Brown nearly three weeks to get acclimated and regain her conditioning, if needed. Brown will likely work with
Parker-Tyus and Brianna Turner to fill Smith’s role in the Aces’ rotation.
The Aces will have five players participating in the FIBA World Cup with A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young on the Team USA roster, Mai Yamamoto playing for Japan and Stephanie Talbot on Australia’s roster.
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