Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is having a banner year. The WNBA All-Star starter is posting career highs in the 2025 season in points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, and minutes played, in which she leads the league. But even more impressive than her stats is the manner in which she makes versatility look totally natural. Name the players who have averaged 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and at least two three pointers per game in a season. She’s the only one. During the 2024 All-Star Weekend, she won both the Skills Competition and the Three-Point Contest, a double victory she’ll defend in Indianapolis starting tonight. She’s already off to a hot start. On Friday morning, after her team’s practice, she won a half-court shot contest. As basketball’s talent level rises across the board, both in the women’s and the men’s game, Gray is proof that you don’t need to sacrifice one skillset to evolve the others. If you’re going to win in this era of basketball, better competition requires a better game, in every way.
We spoke with Allisha about her excellent year, where she developed her commitment to a well-rounded game and her take on her role in a stacked league.
The past offseason was perfect to make leaps in my game. I was really locked in to develop my one-on-one play. The Unrivaled League was ideal, because you’re going head to head against some of the league’s best players, so you have to be able to create your own shot. And defensively, you have no choice but to step up. Nine times out of ten, you’re on an island, so you don’t have any help. Your individual defense needs to be strong.
My toughness was being shaped before I even played basketball. I mainly grew up with my two brothers. Playing outside in the backyard, I learned how to stand my ground against them. Every game we played was competitive, to the point where my parents would need to separate us so we wouldn’t go at each other.
In basketball, if you’re outmatched, you need to figure out your edge. I was never going to overpower my brothers. But I could outwork them and outsmart them. When I started beating them in one-on-one and shootouts, that’s when I started earning their respect.
I view winning literally. I’m so competitive, victory means winning over someone else. Winning the Georgia state championship in high school was the moment when that was solidified for me. We went undefeated that year. It’s not only that we won — we didn’t lose, to anyone.
"You can impact the game in so many different ways. Why wouldn’t you train to get better in every area?"
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream guard and Nike Athlete
Growing up in a military household, you don’t have any excuse for giving less than your best effort. My dad was in the army. It was "Yes, sir" and "Yes, ma’am" for as long as I could remember. He was my basketball coach until I went off to college. I’d be in a hard workout, and he’d tell me, “I’m not gonna let you fall short of your expectations in front of me.” Did I mention he was my principal at school? [Laughs]. It was a tough environment, but now that I’m older, I know he had a vision for what I could accomplish.
Scoring isn’t everything. It’s crazy to me how a lot of people focus on the points that a player puts up, and nothing else. You can impact the game in so many different ways. Why wouldn’t you train to get better in every area?
My go-to Nike product? That’s easy. My goggles! I started wearing them after I got an eye injury during a 3x3 game. I’ve worn them ever since.
The league is stacked. You can't take your talent for granted. You have so many elite players who are working on their craft. It makes playing in the All Star Game so meaningful, knowing that you’re mentioned in those same ranks.
I’m not giving any ground in the Skills Comp or the Three-Point Contest this year. I'm focusing on both again this weekend — I won't limit myself to one or the other. I’m confident, and I’m feeling fit and ready. Then again, with how many minutes I’m playing this year, I was gonna get in shape, right?