LAS VEGAS — Former Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown spent the summer waiting for another WNBA opportunity. When it finally came, it brought her back to a team that ended her previous season.
Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) and Kalani Brown (21) celebrate a basket against the Lynx at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on May 30, 2025.
Brown spoke for the first time since signing with the Las Vegas Aces, returning to the league after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Mercury in the preseason. The move came after Las Vegas ruled NaLyssa Smith out for the remainder of the season with a left leg injury.
What makes Brown’s return particularly interesting is the history tied between player and team. She spent the 2025 season in Phoenix after arriving from Dallas as part of a four-team trade that also brought Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas to the Valley.
Aug 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) battles for the ball with Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Brown spent the first half of the season consistently in the rotation, averaging 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 29 games while shooting 61.5% from the field. The Mercury tightened their rotation heading into the postseason and Finals, limiting Brown’s opportunities.
However, after Sabally was injured during the Finals, Brown saw increased playing time as Phoenix adjusted its frontcourt rotation.
The Mercury were ultimately swept by the Aces, making Brown’s return to Las Vegas more notable. She now joins the team that ended Phoenix’s championship run last season, with the Aces once again positioned as a postseason contender and hoping Brown can complement a roster filled with All-Stars.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) drives against Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the second half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve been told I was chosen and I was chosen for a reason,” Brown said to ESPN Las Vegas. “And I just need to go out there and be me and don’t think about it. That’s what I’ve been told in my workouts, and that’s what I’m going off of. I’m here to give whatever Becky [Hammon] asks of me.”
Part of Brown’s excitement about joining Las Vegas comes from how Hammon utilizes her centers, particularly playing into Brown’s strengths — something she said she couldn’t quite do in Phoenix with the team’s style of basketball.
“I think in Phoenix, it was a different level of play, a different style of play for me. And I did struggle in the beginning. I got the hang of it, but I think here I’m a little bit more comfortable.”
Now, Brown has a chance to contribute to another contender, and this time, she has a chance to finish the championship story that was cut short.
“I’m just trying to get up to speed with the team, getting up to their speed of play, their style of play,” said Brown. “And I’m just going to take it as a challenge, as I have my entire career. It’s no different.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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