Over the final 12 days of 2018, each day we will look back at the year that was for a WNBA team, reminiscing over some of the best moments from the past year and looking ahead to the upcoming year as well. Up first is the Las Vegas Aces, who had a strong debut season in the newest WNBA city.

Season Recap

Record: 14-20, six-win improvement from 2017
Finish: 6^th in Western Conference, 9^th overall
Postseason: Missed playoffs by one game
Awards: A’ja Wilson, Rookie of the Year
Leaders: Points (Wilson, 20.7); Rebounds (Wilson, 8.0); Assists (Kelsey Plum, 4.0); Steals (Kayla McBride, 1.1); Blocks (Wilson, 1.7); 3-Pointers (McBride, 1.5)

Key Offseason Questions

Who to take with the No. 1 pick in the draft?

There was no doubt about the top pick last year as Bill Laimbeer could have announced that the team was taking A’ja Wilson on the night that the team won the draft lottery. It’s not quite as clear-cut this year as there are plenty of outstanding prospects to choose from.

What is the next step in the progression of Las Vegas’ young stars?

The Aces had one of the youngest rosters in the league last season with only two of their 13 players having more than four years of WNBA experience. With a trio of rookies and a trio of sophomores on the squad a year ago, there is plenty of room for growth and progression as these young players continue to develop.

What is A’ja Wilson’s ceiling?

After a stellar rookie campaign (more on that later), what can the Aces expect out of A’ja Wilson in her second WNBA season? As great as she was a rookie, she’s only going to get better with more time and experience in this league. That is great news for the Aces and a nightmare for the rest of the WNBA.

Best On-Court Moment

Tipping off opening night in Las Vegas

The Aces hosted the eventual champion Seattle Storm in their home debut at the newly renovated Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 27. It was beginning of a new era for a franchise that has been part of the WNBA since Day One back in 1997.

In addition to the on-court action – which saw the Aces’ comeback fall short in a 105-98 loss – those in attendance were treated to the pomp and circumstance that Las Vegas has to offer with a star-studded lineup today featuring special performances by Boyz II Men, Jabbawockeez and cast members from Michael Jackson ONE™ by Cirque du Soleil

The A’ja Wilson Show

Wilson’s rookie season as a whole was a highlight in and of itself. As the consensus No. 1 pick entering the WNBA Draft, there were high expectations for Wilson as she entered the WNBA. And she went out and exceeded all expectations with one on the best debut seasons in league history. She finished with averages of 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, 0.8 steals and 10 double-doubles.

There were only three players in the entire WNBA to average at least 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game: league and Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, MVP runner up Liz Cambage and Wilson, who finished eighth in MVP voting as a rookie. Wilson was unanimously selected as Rookie of the Year and was the only rookie to be named an All-Star, where she was joined by McBride on Team Delle Donne.

Best Off-Court Moment

Winning the Draft Lottery … again! The Aces became the first franchise to win the WNBA Draft Lottery in three consecutive years. After taking Plum with the first overall pick in 2017 and Wilson with the top pick in 2018, the Aces have an opportunity to add another blue-chip prospect this April.

As great as it is to add elite young talent at the top of the draft year after year, the Aces definitely don’t want to be back in the lottery come 2019. The streak is great for helping build the foundation, but now it’s time for that foundation to produce a playoff berth.

Another great off the court moment was having Las Vegas announced as the host city for the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game. What will the “Entertainment Capital of the World” have in store for All-Star weekend?

GIF of the Year

There were plenty of candidates involving star rookie A’ja Wilson – whose on-court brilliance is matched by her off-court personality – but we had to go with the mic drop after her incredible debut season in the WNBA.

Photos of the Year

Check out some of the top images from the Aces debut season in Las Vegas.

New Year’s Resolution

Break through and make the playoffs, ending a four-year postseason drought. The Aces fell one win short of making the playoffs in their first season in Vegas. Now armed with another No. 1 overall pick, the team should be ready to take that next step into the postseason and eventually become a title contender.