The Atlanta Dream took a massive risk by trading the No. 3 overall selection in the 2023 WNBA Draft and a 2025 first-rounder to the Dallas Wings for guard Allisha Gray. It was a swing for the fences, banking on a player who had thus far not been an All-Star realizing their potential seven years into their career.
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is further proof that Atlanta was not only justified in taking the risk, but validated in believing that Gray can be a star-caliber player.
Gray won the 2017 Rookie of the Year award after previously helping the South Carolina Gamecocks win the NCAA Championship that same year. Her individual play continued to impress, but Atlanta saw the potential for something greater within her.
In two seasons with the Dream, Gray has justified the trade by making back-to-back All-Star Game appearances—and on July 19, joined Becky Hammon and Sabrina Ionescu in WNBA history.
Only three players have won both the WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest in their career.
— espnW (@espnW) July 20, 2024
Allisha Gray is the only player to win both in the same night 🏆🏆 #ThatsaW pic.twitter.com/lEF7my9O6h
In addition to doing something that only Hammon and Ionescu have accomplished, Gray became the first player in WNBA history to win the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest on the same night.
Allisha Gray solidifies her place as one of the most skilled players in the WNBA
Gray is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in the WNBA, as well as a more than capable playmaker. Thus far in 2024, she's averaging 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 three-point field goals made per game.
It's been a challenging season for the Dream as a team, but Gray continues to thrive as the team's leading scorer and three-point shooter.
The 29-year-old will now represent Team WNBA in the unique encounter with the players from Team USA at the All-Star Game. Gray is likely to play big minutes in this clash of the titans as one of the best shooters on the court.
At the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game, Gray scored 10 points in just over 18 minutes as a member of Team Wilson, led by two-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson.
Perhaps a strong showing at All-Star Weekend is what Gray needed to help propel Atlanta back into the playoff hunt. The team started the season well at 6-6, but has since gone 1-11 with key players such as Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Aerial Powers in and out of the lineup.
Atlanta is beginning to get back to full health, with Howard appearing in the final game before the All-Star break, meaning hope isn't yet completely lost.
The Dream are currently just 3.0 games back of the No. 8 seed, with Gray certain to play a prominent role in the playoff push. It's possible that one of the franchise players experiencing immense success over All-Star Weekend can reinvigorate a locker room that's been down on its luck.
Regardless of what else transpires, Gray has etched her name into the history books as a two-time All-Star and the only WNBA player to win the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest in a single season.