Allisha Gray sweeps WNBA All-Star events
Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray went 2 for 2 during Friday night's All-Star festivities and became the first player in WNBA history to win both the Skills Challenge and the 3-point shootout in the same year.
PHOTO: WNBA Zoom
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Something about individual competition that seems to drive Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray.
The eight-year veteran went 2 for 2 during Friday night's All-Star festivities and became the first player in WNBA history to win both the Skills Challenge and the 3-point shootout in the same year.
Gray defeated New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones 22-21 in the 3-point shootout. Earlier in the night, Gray took home the Skills Challenge when she beat Phoenix Mercury star Sophie Cunningham by mere seconds. Gray’s 32.1 seconds snuck by Cunningham’s 34.5 in the final round.
Gray wasn't shy about what drives her in such events.
"I felt like I was warmed up to the skills challenge, I was running all over the court, I was able to warm my legs and stuff," Gray said in her genial Southern drawl wearing an ear-to-ear grin. "I was fatigued a little bit from the skills challenge, but I was able to lock in because I knew another 55K was on the line.
"Now I'm glad I accepted the call when they asked me to participate in both of them. Now I get another 55k in my pocket, so I was happy about that."
Gray, who will collect $110,000 for winning both events, said she knew Jones was going to be dangerous coming into the competition.
"I was nervous because she went on a shooting streak for makes," Gray said about Jones' last shot attempt. "JJ is a great 3-point shooter. I even told her before, I was like, 'I'm familiar with your shooting game I know you're gonna go out there and kill it.'
"But when she got to that last one ... and she missed it was a sigh of relief because she's a great shooter."
And that wasn't the first time Gray took home an individual crown in 2024, as she's now 3 for 3 having also won the Athletes Unlimited title in March, a championship that also includes a cash bonus.
"I mean, I really just lock in, for real when I know something's on the line," said Gray, who finished the AU season with 6,918 leaderboard points. "But that's just the type of person I am. I take competition very seriously. I'm a very competitive person. I want to win at everything."
Gray's margin for first place was the largest of any AU basketball champion in the three-year-old league, after beating Dallas Wings 11-year veteran Odyssey Sims by 872 points.
Yet as competitive as she may be, Gray was just as humble immediately after winning the 3-point title Friday night, and extremely pleased with the turnout in Phoenix.
"The competitor in me wanted her to miss, of course," Gray told ESPN's Holly Rowe on the court. "But the person in me, I like to see other people's success as well, so with her winning I would've been just as happy.
"The viewership is definitely up in the W and it was amazing to see how many people were here for all the (events). I mean, it is very cool, that made me very happy."
And her message to the younger fans ecstatic to watch the world’s greatest women's basketball players compete?
"Just stay true to yourself, continue to follow your dreams, don't let nobody steer you off the path of following your dreams," Gray said. "Because I mean, you control your destiny. I mean, you're gonna have haters and doubters, but you got to believe in yourself."
ALSO FROM ALL-STAR FRIDAY - Gray’s Dream teammate Rhyne Howard was also in the spotlight with the 3x3 showcase. Howard was dominant in Team USA’s win, scoring 12 of the group’s 19 points. Team USA was victorious in the exhibition match, winning 19-16.
