Dickerson Honored During WNBA, Aces' 30-Year Alumni Weekend
LAS VEGAS – Keitha Dickerson stood on the Aces' logo near center court, sporting her glossy white top with khaki linen bottoms.
She was front and center amidst the Women's National Basketball Association world, living in the moment as others around her did the same. She was one of many former WNBA players being honored at the home of the three-time league champion Las Vegas Aces. It was a moment that served as a culmination of time, reflection and celebration.
Dickerson, Dallas College Mountain View's newly-minted athletic director, was welcomed back to her professional playing environment as part of the WNBA's 30-year anniversary. Every player who ever stepped on a court in a WNBA uniform has been given the opportunity to return to a WNBA arena to commemorate three decades since the women's professional basketball league launched in 1997.
"Returning to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the WNBA was truly a full-circle moment for me," Dickerson said. "Being part of the league during its early years was an incredible experience that helped shape who I am both professionally and personally. The WNBA represented much more than basketball. It represented opportunity, perseverance, leadership and the power of women breaking barriers in sports."
Dickerson played for the Aces' original franchise, the Utah Starzz, in 2001. She was the 24th pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, where she started in 29 of 32 games before signing with the Starzz the following season.
During the Aces' Alumni Weekend, roughly 50 players gathered on Thursday in all white cocktail attire for the Aces Foundation Gala with team owner Mark Davis, also the principal owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, comedian and actress Wanda Sykes, disc jockey and rapper DJ Spinderella, best known for her work with hip-hop group Salt-N-Peppa, and the 2026 Aces team. The following day, they toured the home of the Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, for lunch. On Saturday, Aces alumni were introduced at halftime of the Las Vegas-Golden State Valkyries game.
"As I reflect on my time in the league, I am grateful for the lessons I learned from coaches, teammates and competitors," Dickerson said. "The experience taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork and the importance of serving something bigger than yourself. Those lessons continue to guide me every day."
Nowadays, Dickerson, who was enshrined in the first class of Dallas College Athletics' Lifetime Legacy Award recipients in April, spends her time in an administrative role, overseeing Mountain View's athletic department. In late February, she wrapped up her 19th year in coaching – the last seven as the head coach of the Lions. Her 2022-23 team advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Tournament for the first time in program history.
Her time in the WNBA, following a four-year career at Texas Tech University, where she was a Second Team All-Big 12 choice after leading the league in rebounds per game (10) as a senior and scoring 1,008 career points from 1996-00, serves as a reminder to the excellence she strives for at Mountain View and in her personal life.
"Today, I have the privilege of serving student-athletes at Dallas College Mountain View, and I draw on those experiences constantly," Dickerson said. "I understand firsthand the impact that athletics can have on a young person's life, both on and off the court. My passion is helping student-athletes discover their potential, achieve their academic goals and prepare for success beyond their playing careers.
"The same values that helped build the WNBA commitment, excellence, opportunity and empowerment are the values I strive to instill in our student-athletes. Being able to celebrate the league's 30th anniversary while continuing to invest in the next generation is incredibly meaningful. It reminds me that our journey in sports is never just about the games we play; it's about the lives we impact and the legacy we leave behind.
"I am proud of where the WNBA has been, excited about where it is going and honored to use the experiences from my playing career to help shape the future of student-athletes at Dallas College Mountain View, as well as my granddaughter."