Allisha Gray has been one of the most underrated players in the WNBA for years now. Even last season, when she was a legitimate MVP candidate, she didn’t even finish tenth in the first returns of the All-Star fan voting. Caitlin Clark, who barely played due to injuries, Lexie Hull, who is a role player for the Fever, and rookie Kiki Iriafen all got more votes than her.
Chelsea Gray also believes that Allisha Gray doesn’t get the respect she deserves. After the two battled in the 1-on-1 tournament final, Gray said, “I think in general in this world of sports, [Allisha Gray] doesn’t get the love and stuff that she deserves. Dynamic player on both ends of the floor, somebody that can put up numbers quickly and in a hurry, and can score in a multitude of ways. So, competing against her, I expected nothing else.”
Getting as far as Allisha Gray did in Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament is a great way to earn respect. So, maybe, she will finally shed her reputation as one of the most underrated players in the game. Her MVP-level season in the W certainly earned Gray some attention from GMs all around the league. She is an unrestricted free agent, but all the signs point to her wanting to re-sign with the Dream. Barring some big CBA changes, the Dream will core her.
Allisha Gray didn’t have an easy road to the finals
Gray got lucky in the first round, earning a bye. In the second round, she had to face Saniya Rivers. Rivers is a defensive standout, but she also managed to put up nine points in a game to eleven.
Gray’s next opponent was Rae Burrell. The Sparks youngster may be an unassuming opponent compared to some of the big-time stars in the tournament, but Burrell’s speed and athleticism make her a formidable 1-on-1 player. She took down Rhyne Howard and Sonia Citron in the first two rounds. Burrell got two blocks against Gray, but only got up three shots and Gray won the game 11-2.
The semifinals presented Gray with her toughest opponent yet: Aliyah Boston. Boston isn’t only stronger and taller than Gray, but she has also developed a perimeter game and moves niftily around the basket. Gray eventually won the game 12-10 by sinking three 2-pointers.
Finally, Gray had to face reigning Unrivaled Finals MVP Chelsea Gray. Allisha Gray won the first game by scoring seven straight points. Chelsea Gray took the second game, and the deciding match lasted an exhausting 7 minutes and 51 seconds.