President Joe Biden cheers the Las Vegas Aces and women’s basketball

President Joe Biden has welcomed the reigning WNBA champions the Las Vegas Aces to the White House in celebration of what he called a “banner year” for women’s basketball

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden welcomed the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, to the White House on Thursday and celebrated what he called a “banner year” for women’s basketball.

“It’s important for girls and women to finally see themselves represented,” Biden said during the celebration in the East Room of the White House. “It matters to all Americans. That is why we as a nation must support women’s sports.”

Both he and Vice President Kamala Harris received the winning team’s usual jerseys. Holding his up, Biden shouted, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play!”

In her own remarks, Harris praised the team for playing with “so much joy” and being role models both on and off the basketball court.

“You just inspire people in our country and around the world,” Harris said.

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty in the WNBA Championship last October to win their second straight WNBA title. As he began his remarks, Biden made a not-so-veiled reference to his own re-election prospects, noting, “I kind of like back-to-back stuff like that.”