In Bustle’s The Pregame, we ask athletes about their pregame rituals. How do they get in the zone? What do they wear for the famous tunnel walk? Do they have any superstitions before a big game? Here, Las Vegas Aces guard-forward Aaliyah Nye talks about sleep, faith, and the simple satisfaction of a matching set .

Aaliyah Nye is hitting her stride. After playing basketball at the University of Illinois and the University of Alabama, the guard-forward joined the Las Vegas Aces as the 13th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft , and now she’s competing in the Finals against the Phoenix Mercury.

On game day, the 23-year-old finds her center with routine — one that involves plenty of sleep. “I go to shootaround, go home, take a nap, and come back to [the arena],” she says. “[That’s how] I f

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