Tiffany Hayes made the surprise decision to come out of retirement in May 2024, only a handful of months after her December 2023 announcement. Hayes signed with the Aces after one season with the Sun and a decade with the Dream. Though the team protected her during the December 2024 Expansion Draft, Hayes ultimately departed and signed with the Golden State Valkyries — a decision that has largely paid out for her.
Despite a season that has been seen her hit with injuries, Hayes has thrived in the Bay Area. She's become a crucial part of the team's identity and a fan favorite, but her future in the WNBA isn't exactly clear. Though she's repeatedly said she plans to continue to play professional basketball for several more years, Hayes has not explained if that includes more time in the WNBA — or if she will go back to playing overseas (Hayes will play in Turkey later this year) full-time.
When Hayes signed with the Valkyries in early 2025 a lot of people were not predicting the team would go on to have the successful season that they have. The Valkyries have clinched a spot in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs, a feat that's unheard of for an expansion team — and they did so with decisive margins. Hayes has been a major part of the force that's driven the team to success.
In some ways, it would make sense for Hayes to bow out after this season. The Valkyries have reached heights just about no one saw coming, and leading a brand new team to the playoffs during their inaugural season is something she can be proud of for the duration of her career. But the Valkyries are likely to only continue to grow — if they made it to the playoffs in 2025, it's tempting to wonder just how far they can go in 2026.
In others, it might be time to hang up her hat. Hayes is incredibly talented and also injury-prone; she's been in and out all season, and coach Natalie Nakase has repeatedly adjusted the team's plans around those injuries (as well as injuries suffered by several of her teammates). That's a coach's job, but there's little doubt the injuries may one day become more than Hayes is willing to put up with.
Whatever decision she makes, Hayes will always be one of the key players who drove the Valkyries to success — a contribution that Ballhalla is sure to remember no matter how long she is (or isn't) on the team.