Justine Pissott's WNBA journey totally flipped in just one week, and A'ja Wilson made sure the former Indiana Fever rookie felt like family with the Las Vegas Aces from the jump. Pissott landed in Vegas and found herself right next to one of the league's biggest stars, and Wilson wasted no time rolling out the welcome mat, Aces-style. Talk about a whirlwind start to a pro career, right?
The Signature Welcome That Made an Immediate Impact
Wilson's got a reputation for making Aces rookies feel like they've been there forever the moment they arrive. It's a longtime tradition of hers to hook up each newcomer with a colorful backpack stuffed with essentials. Pissott was the latest player to get that awesome treatment. After Sunday's game, Wilson was asked when Pissott would get her rookie welcome package, and she just smiled, revealing it had already happened. "Very soon, immediately," Wilson said. "Justine has a water bottle, a lunch box, a whole lot. So fairly quickly, when I get my rookies, I gotta show them that kind of love. You got to be cute." Pissott even proudly showed off her Toy Story-themed backpack during the postgame interview, calling it "a cute one" with a grin. That exchange perfectly shows the awesome culture Wilson has helped build in Vegas, where veterans totally embrace mentoring the younger talent.From Development Deal to Record-Setting Debut
Pissott's path to the Aces was anything but typical. The Vanderbilt product got picked #25 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft and signed a development contract. She only saw action in one preseason game before the Aces swooped in and signed her to an offer sheet on July 7. Indiana had 24 hours to match, but they declined, letting Vegas officially add the rookie. To make room, the Aces waived veteran guard Chennedy Carter. And holy cow, did that move pay off! In her WNBA debut against the Phoenix Mercury, Pissott exploded for 19 points, shooting 7-for-8 from the field and an insane 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, all in just 10 minutes! Those five made 3-pointers? That's a new WNBA record for a player making their league debut. Unbelievable!Bumps in the Road, But Lessons Learned
Sunday brought another wild moment for Pissott as she faced the very organization that drafted her, less than a week after joining the Aces. She put up two points against Indiana, but the Aces struggled, with the Fever cruising to a 109-75 victory. Kelsey Mitchell dropped 27 points and Sophie Cunningham added 20 for Indiana. The result wasn't what the Aces wanted, but Pissott is still gaining super valuable experience, learning alongside one of the greatest players in WNBA history. She's got an exciting journey ahead, and with Wilson showing her the ropes, you know she's in good hands.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.