Full Breakdown
Jewell Loyd Turns Fandom into Friendship with Las Vegas Aces Fan
8/14/2026, 12:37:32 AM
The Unexpected Connection
Three-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd first noticed Piper, a regular Aces supporter, shouting her name during a game at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The guard approached the fan, sparking a bond that quickly moved beyond the usual player-fan interaction. Their first exchange led to a promise to “make eye contact,” after which they have become “inseparable,” sharing a custom handshake before every interview and public appearance.
How the Relationship Developed
Loyd encouraged Piper to invent a handshake, a ritual that now opens each of their meetings. When Piper asked for basketball advice, Loyd kept it simple: “You get better five minutes a day dribbling the ball.” The fan says watching Loyd’s play—especially her passing and high-armed defense—motivates her to practice those skills herself.
Impact on Both Parties
For Piper, the friendship provides a tangible role model; she describes Loyd’s positivity as a reminder that “it’s way bigger than basketball.” Loyd, in turn, says the connection helps her stay grounded during stressful moments, noting that she can always “find” Piper among the many fans she meets worldwide. Both acknowledge that the relationship enriches their experience of the sport, turning a typical fan encounter into a lasting personal mentorship.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was like, I need to introduce myself to her because she's yelling my name. She's encouraging me all the time,” — Jewell Loyd, three-time WNBA champion
- “I was like, 'OK, I need to make eye contact with her,' and ever since then, we've kind of been inseparable,” — Jewell Loyd, three-time WNBA champion
- “You get better five minutes a day dribbling the ball,” — Jewell Loyd, three-time WNBA champion
- “She passes the ball a lot and it inspires me to pass the ball more,” — Piper, Aces fan
- “She shows other people that they can do whatever they want to do,” — Piper, Aces fan
- “She just stays so positive regardless, so it puts a lot of things into perspective that, it's way bigger than basketball,” — Jewell Loyd, three-time WNBA champion
