Four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson finally gave her two cents regarding new signing Chennedy Carter's inclusion in a championship-winning squad. And it revealed her thoughts about the journey from competing against Carter to now getting ready to share the locker room.

After more than 500 days, Carter got back to the WNBA after playing in China and Mexico last year. She also featured in the Aces' first preseason game against Japan, as Wilson addressed the "joy" she has brought into the locker room.

“It’s been a joy to have her in the locker room, and we're gonna continue to push and help her grow, and she's gonna help us grow". Wilson said, per an April 28 X update from Basketballislife.com's Sara Jane Gamelli.

"But I was an opponent against her when she fried us, and so it's pretty cool to have her in the locker room now. So she won't be frying us. She's actually gonna be frying other people with our jersey on, which I'm very appreciative of,” Wilson added.

And the Aces' cornerstone is not wrong with that thought. In just her first game against Japan, Carter put on a stranglehold performance.

Carter led the Aces with 18 points, shooting 5 of 10 from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. She also contributed five boards, two assists, and one block.

The 27-year-old has always been a delight to watch on the court ever since her rookie days with the Atlanta Dream. The issue arises with her antics off the court, mainly locker room disputes accumulated over time across different teams.

It is also the reason the Aces have signed her on a training camp contract and not a standard one.

However, coach Becky Hammon and top players like Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray make their team the perfect fit to help Carter propel her WNBA career. Wilson has already given her word to help Carter grow further.

Meanwhile, Carter is loving her time with the reigning champions.

Chennedy Carter Speaks after Her Preseason Debut

While returning to the WNBA stands as the first exciting factor for Carter, the fact that she became a part of the Aces squad with Wilson pleased her even more.

Speaking about her Aces joining, she said, “We have Olympians on our team…So it's just being able to play with them, it's honestly an honor,” via Dominic Lavoie.

Carter also mentioned, “I look up to [my teammates]. They have embraced me, and they've made me feel comfortable, and they're helping me grow and elevate. And I trust that they'll help me take my game to the next level, and I'm going to help them grow as well. So I'm really happy here.”

Carter pretty quickly established herself as a genuine top talent in a team filled with champions, as Hammon also mentioned to put the 27-year-old in a more demanding role.

Meanwhile, veteran Chelsea Gray also had high praise for Carter after her preseason debut. “It’s a luxury,” Gray told reporters after the game. “She belongs in the W, so I’m glad that she’s here.” 

So, do you think Chennedy Carter's inclusion increases the Aces' chances of winning back-to-back titles?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy