Bell playing most important pro season with heavy heart
Las Vegas Aces reserve Kierstan Bell (1) guards New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu (20) in a WNBA game on May 17, 2025. PHOTO: Courtesy Las Vegas Aces
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Rarely will you find Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell without a smile.
The jovial fourth-year pro emits as much energy as the frenzied 10,509 who were in attendance for a thrilling 75-72 home-opening win over the Washington Mystics last Friday.
Whether she's at practice, in the locker room, or on the court during a game, Bell is as energetic as they come.
This season, however, the 25-year-old is carrying a bit more vulnerability than usual, playing with an exceptionally heavy heart.
"You can't change the cards you were dealt, just the way you play the hand," read one of her recent Instagram posts.
Shortly before playing in her third season at Athletes Unlimited, Bell's father, Perry, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Jan. 19, 2025, in Canton, Ohio, at the age of 56.
"I think what really helped me was just the people around me, the support system that I have," Bell said. "I always try to encourage others, but when it's my emotions, I always try to brush them under the rug. I think this year it really hit home. And everybody goes through things, you know? Losing my dad was hard.
"But having my support system there every step of the way helped me. My teammates, they continue to love on me, the organization continues to love on me, and I can be grateful for that. I'm just grateful for the time that I had with my dad. So I will try to think about the good times and not really necessarily the bad."
REUNITED
Bell enjoyed one of the proudest moments of her life on May 27, 2023, with her father in the stands to see team owner Mark Davis put a championship ring on her finger before the 2023 home opener.
"That was dope right there, I feel good watching that," Perry Bell told WGRamirez.com that night. "I got to see her get a ring."
It was a moment they both cherished, considering he had recently been released from prison after serving 20 years for aggravated robbery, receiving stolen property, and several other offenses.
Perry Bell attended all of Kierstan’s games that season, reconnecting with the daughter he had only seen through plexiglass when she was a teenager.
"He always wanted to come to Vegas, so playing in Vegas, I think it was just God's plan to just have him here with me," Bell told WGRamirez.com before Friday's game. "Missing out on that time wasn't always good. But really, just overcoming the fact that he got out, and the first thing he wanted to do was just come and see me, I was appreciative of that.
"And just having that bond outside of basketball, being able to go home and see him free and happy, that's all that mattered to me. And I'm just grateful that I got to cherish every moment with him for the years that he was out. I know he's with me every single day. I just cherish that."
Fourth-year pro Kierstan Bell brings energy to her team, whether or not she’s in the game. PHOTO: Courtesy Las Vegas Aces
STRENGTH FROM ABOVE
Bell said she is clinging to the strength of her father's spirit in what will be the most important season of her career, as she's in the last year of a guaranteed contract.
After averaging just 2.8 points and 1.0 rebounds per game last season, she doesn't shy away from the fact that she has plenty to prove this season.
"I have a job to do," said Bell, who was two months shy of turning 3 years old when her father was sent to prison. "My teammates trust me, the organization trusts me, so come out there and do my job. And so really just leaning on my teammates, continuing to ask hard questions, continuing to hold myself accountable, and just continuing to go out there and play with my heart."
Aces coach Becky Hammon hasn't been afraid to utilize Bell through the first three games this season, as she's averaging 7.0 minutes per game.
"A lot of times she don't know if she's gonna play a minute, no minutes, 15 minutes, and it never affects her spirit, and I think that's really admirable," Hammon said. "So, hopefully she finds peace being out on the basketball court, because I know that was a very proud thing that her father had for her in seeing her work."
What doesn't show up on the stat sheet is the energy she provides for the Aces, even if she never gets into a game.
Hammon said one of her favorite things about Bell is how excited she gets for her teammates.
"A lot of times I'll stop film and just watch her celebrating on certain things," Hammon said.
Veteran Kiah Stokes said Bell has been one of her biggest supporters and is one of the most encouraging teammates she’s ever had.
"She's a light, especially going through dealing with her father; and they just got really close again," Stokes said. "And then for that to happen, it's been tough on her."
"She's always got my back, and I've got hers. It's just that love and care factor that we have for each other. She makes me laugh, she makes me smile, she brings joy to this game, and hopefully, we're also giving that joy back to her."
