​In her WNBA regular-season debut, Shore basketball standout Justine Pissott stole the spotlight on Saturday, helping the Las Vegas Aces crush the Phoenix Mercury 106-58 and, in doing so, set a notable record. The Aces welcomed the 6-foot-4 forward after acquiring her from the Indiana Fever earlier in the week, and she wasted no time making an impact. Pissott’s performance featured a torrent of deep shots, as she connected on five 3-pointers in just 10 minutes of floor time, establishing a record for the most made 3-pointers in a WNBA debut. Across the night, she converted seven shots from the field, contributing significantly to Las Vegas’ emphatic victory. The only Aces player to score more was four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who poured in 21 points.
Pissott’s journey to this moment has been shaped by a path through college hoops and a series of unusual roster circumstances. While with the Fever during the regular season, she was never listed as active, in part due to injuries, which limited her opportunities at the professional level prior to this breakthrough debut with her new team. Despite the earlier setbacks, Pissott’s exposure to high-level competition and her development at the collegiate level positioned her for this breakout performance.
Her basketball roots trace back to Red Bank Catholic High School, where she played under coach Joe Montano. There, she rose to prominence as a McDonald’s All-American in her senior year, signaling her potential on the national stage. After high school, Pissott spent a season at the University of Tennessee before transferring to Vanderbilt. At Vanderbilt, she spent three seasons with the Commodores, steadily increasing her contribution and honing her skills. In her final college season, she achieved a career-high average of 11.1 points per game, helping Vanderbilt regain national relevance and earn recognition as a nationally ranked squad.
The moment celebrated in Las Vegas and across Shore-area basketball communities underscores Pissott’s rapid ascent from a heralded high school prospect to a professional player making an immediate impact in the WNBA. It also illustrates the uncertainties and challenges that can accompany a professional journey, including the toll of injuries and the complexities of roster decisions. Yet, in a debut that will be remembered by Aces fans and observers of the league alike, Pissott demonstrated poise, shooting touch, and an ability to stretch defenses with her long-range shooting.
Asbury Park Press previously highlighted the arc of Pissott’s ascent, underscoring her hometown ties and her status as a rising star poised to contribute at the highest level of women’s basketball. Her debut not only provided a dazzling personal highlight reel but also offered Las Vegas a valuable dimension off the bench—an additional scoring threat capable of hitting from beyond the arc and helping to space the floor for the Aces’ dynamics. The performance was a reminder of how quickly a player can translate college-level success into immediate professional impact when given the right opportunity and the right system.
Looking ahead, Pissott’s early success will shape how opponents approach the Aces, and how coaches leverage her strengths within the rotation. If she can sustain this shooting efficiency and continue to grow her confidence in game scenarios, she could become a reliable weapon for Las Vegas as they pursue continued success in the season. For the Shore area and Red Bank Catholic faithful, her storied progress—from high school standout to national college presence to a record-setting WNBA debut—serves as an encouraging testament to the enduring value of perseverance, talent, and preparation meeting opportunity at the highest levels of women’s basketball.