The youngest and newest player for the Aces has already been making an impact in her short time with the team. On June 19th, the organization announced the signing of Iliana Rupert after drafting her in 2021, but she never joined the team. The Aces signed Rupert as the last addition to their roster. Here is French Basketball Star: Iliana Rupert the Aces’ Newest Addition.
French Basketball Career
Standing at 6’4, Rupert is a versatile player for the Aces. Coming from France, she already has years of experience despite her young age. Rupert has been emersed in the basketball world. She has played for four years professionally in France. She recently finished playing for Bourges in the LFB and the Euroleague.
During this season, she won the LFB MVP and LFB Finals MVP. For the EuroCup, she led her team to a championship and was named EuroCup Women Four Final MVP. She is a member of the French National Team and started playing for the women’s EuroLeague right out of high school. Her dad also professionally played for the French National Team from 2002-2012.
With the Aces thus far
With only 12 games played, she has already been a huge role player. Coach Becky Hammon has often said that Rupert gives the team different looks than Dearica Hamby would. Hammon also says teams will have to start game planning around her too. The Aces have often struggled with bench contributions, especially with the starters playing heavy minutes. Rupert often is one of the first substitutions in the game. Her main contribution to the stat sheets is her rebounding abilities. Not only is she a significant presence on defense, but her versatility on offense is precisely what the Aces like in their players. Rupert can do it all by shooting the 3-point or posting up down low.
First career three for Iliana Rupert 🙌 pic.twitter.com/G2LWKIVbL5
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 26, 2022
Despite her significant contributions on the court, her salary is much lower than a traditional rookie. Making roughly $37,420 and if the game qualifications are met, Rupert almost doubled her salary with the Aces win in the Commissioner’s Cup; she receives a $30,000 bonus. No doubt that Rupert will continue to be utilized for the Aces as they look forward to the playoffs and in the years to come.
Congratulations to Iliana Rupert, whose $30K bonus for @LVAces winning the #CommissionersCup nearly equals her season salary ($37,420, per @herhoopstats), & Kierstan Bell & Aisha Sheppard, whose bonuses add nearly 50% to what they’re making in salary (~$66K, $63K). @TheNextHoops
— Jenn Hatfield (she/her) (@jennhatfield1) July 27, 2022
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