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Jewell Loyd’s Journey to Aces as the ‘Gold Mamba
Jewell Loyd makes her first appearance at the Las Vegas Aces headquarters with a friendly family scrimmage and high anticipation. Get all the behind-the-scenes moments.
Jewell Loyd’s First Day with the Las Vegas Aces Brings Energy, Family, and a Friendly Scrimmage
Jewell Loyd had only been at the Las Vegas Aces’ facility for a few hours, but the excitement buzzing through the building was impossible to ignore. After being officially introduced to the media as one of the Aces’ newest and most high-profile additions, Loyd was preparing to hit the practice court for the very first time.
There was a quiet buzz of anticipation around the gym. Aces president Nikki Fargas, several of Coach Becky Hammon’s assistants, and members of Loyd’s inner circle—including her father, Calvin Loyd, and her agent, Jade-Li English from Klutch Sports—were gathered courtside, eagerly awaiting the action.
Jewell was set to team up with her older brother, Jarryd Loyd, for a casual yet competitive scrimmage against two of the Aces’ male practice players. It wasn’t just a workout—it was a moment of bonding, intensity, and sibling chemistry on full display.
“This is going to be so good,” said Fargas, smiling as everyone waited for Jewell to step onto the court.
Jewell’s father, Calvin, who has seen countless battles between his children over the years, watched with a proud grin. The matchup had a special energy—one that was as fun as it was competitive.
Though Team Loyd didn’t walk away with the win, Jewell took it in stride, calling the scrimmage “surreal” and immediately hinting at a rematch. Her determination, even in lighthearted moments, reflects the competitive fire that made her such a coveted addition to the Aces’ roster.
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Jewell Loyd’s Powerful New Chapter with the Las Vegas Aces: From “Gold Mamba” to Silent Killer
Jewell Loyd’s debut at the Las Vegas Aces’ training facility wasn’t just about putting on a new jersey — it marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in her WNBA journey. While the scrimmage scoreboard didn’t tilt in her favor, the result wasn’t the focus. What mattered was the fresh start.
Nicknamed the “Gold Mamba” by the late Kobe Bryant, Loyd requested a trade after a decade with the Seattle Storm. The six-time WNBA All-Star’s wish was granted through a three-team deal that sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks and brought Loyd to a title-contending Aces roster.
Coach Becky Hammon believes Loyd is about to unleash a version of herself the league hasn’t seen before. And Loyd agrees.
“Everything I’ve gone through in my career has led to this point,” she told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I still have so much left in the tank.”
At 31, the two-time WNBA Champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist joins a stacked core including Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and three-time MVP A’ja Wilson. Loyd is poised not just to contribute — but to reinvent herself.
From Tennis Star to Basketball Prodigy
Jewell’s journey to basketball stardom had humble roots in Lincolnwood, Illinois, where she originally trained in tennis until seventh grade. She was talented enough to consider a professional career in the sport before pivoting to basketball full-time in high school.
By the time she was a freshman at Niles West High School, her dominance was already evident. Her former coach, Tony Konsewicz, recalls thinking she could’ve started on the varsity squad in sixth grade.
“She just dominated,” he said. “Jewell got people excited about girls basketball again.”
Thanks to Loyd, Niles West transformed from a forgotten program into a powerhouse, winning two conference titles, three regionals, and a sectional championship during her tenure.
The Loyalty and Grit Behind the Gold Mamba
What sets Loyd apart is more than her elite skillset — it’s her heart. Known for her close-knit circle of longtime friends, she treats even strangers with warmth.
Her best friend, Laci Swann, recounted a story where Loyd took time to FaceTime with her son’s therapist — a fan who became starstruck just hearing Loyd’s voice.
“She makes people feel seen,” Swann said. “She’s the same person now as she was 11 years ago.”
Loyd’s competitive fire is legendary. Told by an AAU coach she was overrated, she dropped 50 points on his team. Diagnosed with dyslexia, she even challenged herself to outperform her brother on the ACT—and succeeded.
Beyond the Court: Entrepreneur and Advocate
Jewell isn’t just a baller—she’s a boss. Alongside her brother Jarryd, she co-founded Loyd & Co., a financial firm aimed at fighting predatory lending and investing in diverse ventures.
They own a Smoothie King, a 160-acre organic farm, and hold a stake in Major League Pickleball’s Miami Club. They’ve also launched youth empowerment projects in Rwanda, providing education and training to orphaned teens.
Her Nike GT Cut 3 shoes, co-designed with Swann’s children, support autism awareness. The impact? Swann’s foundation saw its summer camp for autistic kids double in size.
Redemption and Resilience
Loyd’s career hasn’t been without controversy. After helping Notre Dame reach three straight Final Fours, coach Muffet McGraw publicly questioned her decision to declare for the WNBA draft early. Loyd used the criticism as fuel, going on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.
McGraw has since apologized, but Loyd says she’s learned to shed the burden of always trying to prove others wrong.
“That’s not a great way to live your life,” she said.
A Fresh Start and a ‘Mamba Mentality’ Reborn
Despite leading Seattle in scoring last season (19.7 PPG), Loyd’s final months were clouded by injury and internal conflict. Her trade request followed a report alleging issues with Storm coaching staff — a situation she’s chosen to move past without public detail, for now.
Now, she’s set to return stronger than ever.
“She doesn’t get that label, Gold Mamba, from the Black Mamba himself, if she wasn’t elite,” said teammate A’ja Wilson. “She’s hard to stop when she plays free.”
Coach Hammon agrees, noting Loyd’s unique intensity:
“She’s a silent killer. Cold-blooded. There’s a fire in her — you just have to know where to look.”
And Loyd has finally found a team that understands her.
“Everyone wants to be understood. Not everyone has the capacity to understand you — and that’s OK,” Loyd said. “But you shouldn’t be held back.”
