Tiffany “Tip” Hayes wasn’t going to stay in professional basketball. Before she signed with the Golden State Valkyries, Hayes, then 34, had announced her retirement.
Hayes was a regular starter across 11 WNBA seasons, beginning her career with the Atlanta Dream after winning two national titles with UConn and being selected in the second round of the WNBA draft.
From the Atlanta Dream, Hayes joined the Las Vegas Aces en route to a WNBA championship appearance, and in 2024 won the league’s award for the best bench player in the WNBA.
But she wasn’t done, and joined the then-expansion Valkyries going into their first season, to reunite with her former assistant coach Natalie Nakase. Still, she was unsure where she fit in the young group. Then Hayes injuries derailed her season, and she played just 26 games.
“I’m always grateful to be here, always saying how I commend myself for taking that chance and leaving a comfortable situation,” Hayes said ahead of the Valkyries’ win over Los Angeles on Monday. “I always want to make sure I’m being uncomfortable sometimes. That’s how you grow as a person”.
This season, Hayes signed a one-year, $600,000 deal to return to the Valkyries. It was the most she’s ever made, because of the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement that raised all player salaries.
“It’s definitely a great thing to be able to play in the WNBA, but it’s never an easy journey for anybody,” said Hayes. “Just to speak on the fact that you’re able to be here for this long and to be successful for this long…I’m always proud of myself for any milestone, no matter how big or small.”
Hayes started in the Valkyries’ first game this season and was injured quickly, but after missing two games with a pinky injury she’s been an offensive force. She’s become a steady presence for the Valkyries, averaging 7.7 points per game, and shooting 45.3% from the floor.
On June 12, Hayes hit a free throw in the second quarter against Seattle, to reach a total of 5,000 points in her career. This ranks her ahead of another former UConn star, Maya Moore, and ahead of Hall of Famers Sheryl Swoopes, Yolanda Griffith and Elena Delle Donne. Hayes also became the 21st player in league history to make at least 5,000 points, 900 assists and 300 steals in her career.
She finished Friday’s game with 17 points and hit all seven of her free throw attempts.
“That’s incredible coming from a player who maybe was about to walk away from the game and came back,” Nakase said. “She made two crucial free throws. Game on the line, I thought she stepped up with confidence. Even with the crowd and the refs, it almost felt like they kind of tried to freeze her out. So I’m just proud of Tip.”
Now 36, Hayes is hoping for “many years to come” with the Valkyries and in the Bay Area, which she calls her home.
“I’m grateful to still be here, so yeah, to be like on the list with people that are up there to hit that many points, no matter how long it took me, it’s still a milestone, and I still did it, I still accomplished it,” she said. “So definitely proud of myself for that, and I’m happy to be here doing it with this team.”
