Chelsea Nichelle Gray is a celebrated American professional basketball player, widely regarded as one of the most skilled point guards in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Born on October 8, 1992, in Hayward, California, Gray has built an illustrious career marked by exceptional court vision, precise passing, and a knack for delivering in clutch moments.
Currently playing for the Las Vegas Aces, she has earned three WNBA championships, six All-Star selections, and the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP award, solidifying her status as a basketball powerhouse.
Parents
Chelsea’s parents are James and Vickey Gray.
James Gray played football at Clemson University, showcasing his athletic prowess on the gridiron, while Vickey Gray was a college basketball player, a connection that likely sparked Chelsea’s early interest in the game.
According to Chelsea, as shared in an NBC Olympics interview, her parents have been married for over 30 years as of January 2025, reflecting a strong and enduring partnership.
Having spent much of their lives in Oakland, California,
James and Vickey encouraged Chelsea to explore various sports during her childhood, fostering her competitive spirit.
Career
Gray’s journey began at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California, where she led the Rams to consecutive 30-win seasons and secured CIF Division 3 Women’s State Championships in her junior and senior years.
Her senior year was especially standout, earning her accolades such as McDonald’s All-American, WBCA All-American, and the 2010 Gatorade Player of the Year.
By the end of her high school tenure, Gray had amassed 2,164 points, ranking her among the top players in the class of 2010.
Choosing Duke University for her collegiate career, Gray played under coach Joanne P. McCallie and quickly established herself as a standout point guard.
Despite enduring significant setbacks—dislocating her knee in her junior year (February 2013) and reinjuring it in her senior year (January 2014), which ended her college career prematurely—she helped Duke achieve a 120-19 record, win three ACC regular season titles, two ACC Tournament championships, and reach three NCAA Elite Eight appearances.
Her accolades at Duke included ACC Co-Player of the Year (2013), All-ACC First Team (2012, 2013), and WBCA All-American (2013).
Drafted 11th overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Gray missed her rookie season due to her knee injury but debuted in 2015, averaging 6.9 points per game off the bench.
In 2016, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, where she won her first WNBA championship that year as a key reserve.
Her breakout came in 2017 when she became the starting point guard, leading the league in three-point shooting percentage and earning her first All-Star nod.
Gray’s career-highs continued to climb, including a 30-point game in 2019 and her first triple-double that same year, making her one of only nine WNBA players to achieve the feat at that time.
Joining the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, Gray reached new heights, winning championships in 2022 and 2023 and earning Finals MVP honors in 2022 for her masterful playoff performance.
Known as the “Point Gawd” for her exceptional playmaking, she ranks eighth all-time in WNBA assists (1,631 as of her latest seasons) and has been a six-time All-Star.
