A Dallas Wings’ press release pointed out that Allisha Gray and Kaela Davis both being named to the 2017 All-Rookie team makes three players for the Wings to receive the honor in a two-year span.
Forward Aerial Powers represented the Wings on the 2016 All-Rookie team.
This is the first time in franchise history that Dallas has had two rookies named to the WNBA All-Rookie team in the same season.
Having played together at the University of South Carolina for Dawn Staley’s Lady Gamecocks, Gray and Davis clearly developed an on-court chemistry that they carried with them from Columbia.
Enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 for her stellar college, professional and Olympic careers, Staley knows how to win and she knows what it takes to be great.
Greatness is the mantra Staley taught Gray and Davis during their time under her tutelage at USC. Staley’s goal for her teams is that they not only be great players, but “great people” and “great in times of adversity.”
According to comments from Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb, the message clearly stuck. “They are tremendous young women who are fantastic role models on and off the court.”
But winning is the name of the game and Bibb is confident about where Gray and Davis — and the entire “young roster” — can lead the franchise in coming years.
“The future is bright for our organization,” Bibb said.
For his part, Wings head coach Fred Williams congratulated the duo on their accomplishments during their rookie season but, like Bibb, had loads to say about their character as well.
“These two outstanding athletes have provided us with great leadership on and off the basketball court, and we are very proud of their first year success,” Williams said. “We look forward to them coming back and helping us in 2018.”
Naturally, the players were just as excited as their organization.
Guard Allisha Gray referred to the nod as part of her all-around “fun” season, thanks to the WNBA Rookie of the Year award she also won.
“It’s an honor to be named to the WNBA All-Rookie team,” Gray said. “I feel very honored and want to thank my teammates, coaches and the Dallas Wings organization. None of this would have been possible without any of them.”
Gray went on to congratulate the other rookies who were also named to the 2017 WNBA All-Rookie team.
Guard Kaela Davis expressed hope that being named to the WNBA All-Rookie team “reflects all the work that was put in this summer to get there.”
But her excitement was somewhat tempered by the amount of “work to be done” next season — knowing that wins are not given but taken, and that a bright future for the Wings depends on steady improvement.
Davis also thanked everyone involved in her accomplishment, especially Coach Staley at USC and Coach Williams in Dallas. She also expressed appreciation for “all the fans that so supportive throughout the season.”