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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Kiah Stokes didn’t exactly come into this world chasing loose change under couch cushions. Basketball runs in her veins–Her father, Greg Stokes, had already set the family on a pretty comfortable track. He was a towering 6’10” power forward who suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers in the late ‘80s and even snagged a gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games.

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However, instead of simply living off her dad’s legacy, Kiah went out and built her own. With WNBA seasons in the bank and a Turkish Super League resume sparkling with four championships, she’s managed to turn her career into a story of stability. In short, Kiah Stokes upgraded all that comfort. Now, let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at what her financial empire really looks like…

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What is Kiah Stokes’ net worth?

Kiah Stokes’ financial profile received a significant lift after signing her new deal with the Las Vegas Aces. Her net worth now sits at an estimated $2.7 million—a number that accounts not only for her WNBA salary but also for sponsorship deals and performance bonuses. A solid return for a player steadily building her legacy.

To put it in perspective, the WNBA’s all-time earnings peak sits at $10 million, set by Sue Bird. Stokes may not yet be at the very top, but her trajectory is to play the long game, stacking value on and off the court, and positioning herself for both financial stability and enduring influence in the league.

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Kiah Stokes’ Contract Breakdown

As a free agent, Kiah Stokes secured a two-year, $203,000 contract with the Las Vegas Aces. It is a fully guaranteed deal that averages out to $101,500 per season. For the 2025 campaign, she is set to earn a base salary of $103,000, which also matches her cap hit and dead cap value as of February 1, 2024.

This new contract represents a clear step up from her previous deal: on February 7, 2023, Stokes had signed a one-year contract worth $81,000 with Las Vegas. The progression also highlighted her growing value to the Aces as a dependable defensive anchor and championship-tested veteran.

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Is Kiah Stokes the most underrated defensive anchor in the WNBA today?

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Kiah Stokes’ WNBA Earnings

YearAgeTeamStatusCash TotalCash Cumulative
201825NYLActive / Unprotected$52,265$52,265
201926NYLReserve / Unprotected$91,000$143,265
202027NYLActive / Unprotected$91,000$234,265
202128NYLRetained$45,000$279,265
202128LVActive / Unprotected$35,200$314,465
202229LVActive / Unprotected$115,000$429,465
202330LVActive / Unprotected$81,000$510,465
202431LVActive / Protected$100,000$610,465
202532LVActive / Protected$103,000$713,465

Kiah Stokes’ Career Earnings

Beyond her WNBA contracts, Kiah Stokes carved out another stream of income through a trailblazing venture off the court – her podcast, Hangtime. Launched under the Underdog Sports Podcast Network, Hangtime was the first-ever podcast hosted by an active WNBA player. It made Stokes a true pioneer in player-led media.

The podcast stood out for its raw, behind-the-scenes storytelling, giving fans access to the game from angles they’d never heard before. From breaking down life as a pro athlete to sharing her own WNBA draft-day memories, Stokes offered listeners a front-row seat to experiences usually kept inside locker rooms. It even set a new precedent for how WNBA players could control their own narratives and connect directly with fans.

A look at Kiah Stokes’ college and professional career

Kiah Stokes’ rise to basketball prominence began in high school, where her dominance around the rim turned heads. She led the Lions to four state tournament appearances, capturing a state title in 2010, and earned McDonald’s All-American honors that same year. That championship season also marked her commitment to the powerhouse University of Connecticut. At UConn, Stokes wasted no time proving her talent on the national stage, earning a spot on the Big East All-Rookie Team in 2012 after an impressive freshman campaign that hinted at the star she was becoming.

In her senior season, she averaged a career-high 3.8 blocks per game and earned the AAC Defensive Player of the Year award. More importantly, she played a crucial role in helping the Huskies capture three straight NCAA Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Stokes’ success seamlessly transitioned to the professional stage. On April 10, 2015, the New York Liberty selected Stokes with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft. She quickly made her mark, earning spots on both the WNBA All-Rookie Team and the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. Over the next several seasons, Stokes became a cornerstone of the Liberty’s defense, known for her reliability and presence in the paint, until the team waived her on July 1, 2021, closing the New York chapter of her career. But opportunity wasn’t far behind—Stokes soon joined the Las Vegas Aces, where she played a key role in securing both the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup and the 2022 WNBA Championship.

Stokes’ dominance didn’t stop at the WNBA. Overseas, she became a powerhouse with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, amassing an impressive collection of titles and accolades. She captured the Turkish Super League four times (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), including an unforgettable three-peat, lifted the Turkish Cup twice (2019, 2020), and claimed the Turkish Presidential Cup in 2019. Her international career reached its pinnacle when she helped Fenerbahçe secure back-to-back EuroLeague Championships in 2023 and 2024, cementing her status as one of the game’s most accomplished and versatile players.

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Kiah’s international journey actually began much earlier, when she represented the United States as part of the first-ever U16 Women’s National Team. At the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, she helped the USA to a perfect 5-0 record and a gold medal.

This resume just proves that Kiah Stokes’ presence has consistently been the difference between good teams and championship teams.

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Is Kiah Stokes the most underrated defensive anchor in the WNBA today?

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