Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray received due praise from her former coach after making history during the first night of the WNBA’s All-Star Weekend.
On Friday, Gray secured victories in the skills challenge and 3-point contest, becoming the first player in league-history to win both events in the same year. The 29-year-old was subsequently awarded $110,000 from Aflac as well as $2,575 from the WNBA for each first-place finish, bringing her total earnings to $115,150 - over 62 percent of her $185,000 base salary for this season.
Following Gray’s pair of dominant performances, several of her companions from South Carolina took to social media to congratulate the guard. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley shared a photo of herself watching the competitions while onboard a flight alongside the caption: “Watching @Graytness_15 win the @wnba skills challenge AND the 3pt challenge!! @aflac we are going to save some trees so one check please!”
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The 54-year-old shared another photo of Gray’s hilarious reaction after narrowly edging out the New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones in the 3-point contest, adding: “Lish with the sweep! @WNBA champ of the skills challenge and the 3pt challenge. When ‘it’s a possibility’ becomes a reality! I see you @Graytness_15!! @aflac one check please!”
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson was additionally in attendance at the Footprint Center in Phoenix to cheer on Gray, who she played with at South Carolina during the 2016-17 women's basketball season. The 27-year-old donned a pair of her former teammate’s signature protective glasses while sitting near the court.
“LETS ------- GO LISH!!! GET THAT BAG!!!” Wilson wrote on X in response to Gray’s victories, later adding: “I’m so happy for Lish man OMG! I’m not paying for another dinner my friend a shootah.”
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After spending the first two years of her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, Gray transferred to South Carolina and became a formidable one-two punch with Wilson. In 2016, the pair propelled the Gamecocks to a national championship victory over Mississippi State, marking the first of three titles that Staley has won while in charge of the storied program.
Discussing her close bond with Wilson during this weekend’s All-Star festivities, Gray told ESPN’s Holly Rowe: “I love A’Ja, she’s always got my back through anything. That’s my bestie for sure.”
Gray first displayed her talents in the skills challenge, completing the course in 31.1 seconds during the final round to defeat Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham. She then showcased her pinpoint shooting from behind the arc, scoring 23 points in the final to beat Jones’ score of 20.
As for what Gray will do with her winnings, she told Rowe: “Now that I think about it, had a good nap, maybe I’ll go on a little golfing spree, shopping spree.”
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