Las Vegas (February 24, 2020)—Las Vegas Aces center Carolyn Swords announced her retirement from the WNBA Monday, and will join the Aces’ front office as the team’s marketing specialist beginning today.
In her new role, Swords will, among other things, support the implementation of marketing plans for Aces games and other events; work with all aspects of in-game entertainment including the mascot and dance team; and collaborate with media relations, social media, graphic design, corporate partnerships and other internal departments in executing Aces marketing initiatives.
“I’m incredibly grateful that my basketball career brought me to Las Vegas, and allowed me to be a part of the launch of the Aces as a player,” said Swords. “It’s been an exciting two years, and I’m even more excited about the future as I transition into my new role with the front office.
“My internship with the team during the 2018-19 offseason was both a great introduction to the business of basketball and to the Las Vegas community,” she added. “I’m thrilled that the Aces have afforded me the opportunity to continue to be a part of this world and this city, and I can’t wait to get started working with this amazing staff.”
Swords worked in the Aces front office as an intern during the 2018-19 offseason, and helped the team craft its two major community relations initiatives—The Lace Up Mentorship Program, and the Slam Dunk Health Challenge.
“Carolyn is going to be an amazing addition to our business operations family,” said assistant general manager Christine Monjer. “As a player, she represented our core values both on and off the court, and really embraced the Las Vegas community. We’re excited to be a part of Carolyn’s future as she transitions into the business world, and we can’t wait for her to get started.”
“Carolyn has been a leader throughout her WNBA career, both as a teammate and as an officer in the players’ association,” added Aces Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Bill Laimbeer. “One of our commitments to our players is to help them make relevant connections in the community that will assist in their pursuit of their post-playing careers, and Carolyn took full advantage of that during her time with us. Adding her to our front office staff will provide a huge boost to our marketing efforts, as we continue to make the Las Vegas Aces the model franchise in the WNBA.”
The 6-6 center played eight years in the WNBA, the last two with the Aces. She was originally drafted by the Chicago Sky in the second round (No. 15 overall) in the 2011 WNBA Draft. She played three seasons with the Sky, before sitting out the 2014 season with a knee injury.
In 2015, she signed with the New York Liberty, starting 56 of 68 regular season games over the next two years, and posting two of the best offensive seasons of her career. The Liberty made the playoffs in each of those two years, and Swords averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while connecting on 77.8 percent from the field during that time.
The Boston College graduate was traded to the Seattle Storm prior to the 2017 season, and signed with the Aces as a free agent one year later.
For her career, Swords averaged 3.8 points, and 3.1 rebounds while making 54.0 percent of her shots from the floor, and 78.2 percent from the free throw line.