‘One of the best players.' Why Unrivaled gave Chelsea Gray the chance to show out

Miami Herald

22-03-2025

The past 17 months had been rather difficult for Chelsea Gray.
During the 2023 WNBA Finals, Gray fractured her foot. When Gray returned in June 2024, she didn't look like herself and the media chatter was that she wouldn't be the same player. Then came subsequent criticism about her selection for the 2024 Women's Olympic team – especially considering Caitlin Clark's absence – followed by her Las Vegas Aces' loss in the 2024 WNBA Finals.
Needless to say, Gray came to Unrivaled with a point to prove.
'Hell yeah there was motivation,' Gray said following her championship win, surrounded by teammates with bottles of champagne seemingly glued to their hands. She even admitted to having 'a little chip on my shoulder.' 'Last year was hard. It was rough. Even when I came back I wasn't 100%.'
Under Gray's leadership, the Rose BC captured the inaugural Unrivaled championship. The 32-year-old known affectionately as the Point Gawd not only captured Playoffs MVP and All-Unrivaled first team honors but led in both assists and game-winners. And while the accolades are nice, Unrivaled gave Gray the opportunity to prove to everyone what she already knew: she ain't lost a step.
'I think the Olympics kind of put a little fire underneath her and just the last season that she had coming off of injury,' Rose coach Nola Henry said of Gray. 'How quickly people forget what players have done in this league and the success they had when they have one 'down year.' So I think she came in with a certain level of pride like 'I'm still here and not only am I still here, I'm better than before.''
The Rose, however, didn't have the best beginning to the season. A 1-5 start – in addition to Kahleah Copper's injury seven games into the year – threatened to upend the team's title hopes. It also didn't help that ESPN picked the Rose to finish last in the league, something that became a bit of motivation for the squad.
'We know what we're capable of and we know what we could do,' said Copper who implored Henry to print out the rankings and paste it in their locker room. The Rose even had shirts made with the rankings on them that they donned after their championship victory.
Something, however, clicked in February. The Rose subsequently went undefeated that month, rattling off five straight victories over that span. Gray averaged roughly 24 points on 46-percent shooting, 52-percent behind the arc and six assists in February. Even better: she hit the game-winner for three of the five matchups.
'I just want to take that best shot possible,' Gray said of her late-game mindset, later adding that she just wants 'to make the best read in that moment' and 'get to my spots.' 'I put in the work and I take those shots all the time in practice and other games so the only difference is the time on the clock or the stakes of the game.'
By the time March hit, Gray had clearly found her stride. There was her 38-point explosion in a losing effort against the Mist that tied a league record at the time. Her 26-point, seven-assist game versus the Laces. And her 33-point effort in the regular season finale that included hit an impressive eight threes. Leslie Hull, a 2022 WNBA first round pick, called Gray's consistency exceptional.
'She's the most consistent player I've ever played with,' said Hull, who played with Gray on the Rose. 'Learning from her, figuring out how to bring the same thing every single day, she's just so impressive and she's easy to learn from because she's such a good person. She brings the fun energy but she also brings the 'hard-working, down to business' energy. That balance is really unique and special.'
Gray truly shined in the two-game playoffs. Down by 13 to start the second half of the semifinals, Gray scored 22 of her record-setting 39 points in the game's final two quarters. She also hit the game-winning trey ball to beat the Laces 63-57. Asked what was the biggest difference in the game and Laces coach Andrew Wade kept it simple.
'Chelsea Gray,' Wade said. 'She took over. She played like she has the last month and a half: like one of the best players in the league, if not the best.'
Gray's domination only continued in the championship game against the Vinyl. Between an awe-inspiring behind-the-head pass and a buzzer-beating halfcourt heave, Gray had not only the two of the best plays of the day en route to her 18-point, eight-assist effort to beat the Vinyl 62-54. The victory likely tasted a bit sweeter seeing as how neither Copper and Angel Reese, who captured Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year, suited up.
'At full strength, they counted us out,' Henry said in her post-game speech, later calling Gray 'our real MVP.' Copper 'out, they counted us out. Azurá [Stevens], they counted us out. Angels down, they counted us out.'
Added Henry: 'Thanks to Chelsea for carrying us all season long.'
With the WNBA season around the corner, expect a fully energized Gray to lead the Aces. And if she can replicate her Unrivaled performance, the 2025 season will be a revenge tour of sorts. Consider this a notice.
'I just put the work in, do my job and talk after winning,' Gray said. 'I don't talk before that. I just do my job and want to compete and make others better. Honestly, that's always been my goal and I was able to do that.'