Driving the Next 50 Years of Growth in Women's Sports
Allisha Gray shares positive outlook for Atlanta Dream's season
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Allisha Gray during a game against the Seattle Storm last week. Photo: Mollie Handkins/NBAE via Getty Images
The WNBA is in full swing after a break for the Olympics, and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is feeling good about the team's outlook for the season.
Driving the news: The Sandersville, Georgia, native spoke with Axios about the WNBA, its rise in popularity and how she spends her downtime.
What they're saying: Gray, who is in her second season with the team, said "coming to Atlanta has been great," particularly after she was named a 2024 WNBA All-Star for the second consecutive year in July.
The WNBA's rising popularity means more eyes are on the games and more fans are being introduced to the league, said Gray, the 29-year-old guard.
- "I think the viewership has been great because… more and more people find out how cool and special the W is," she said.
The big picture: The WNBA has been making "different adjustments" to improve players' salaries, grow the sport and increase viewership, including a new TV deal and different sponsorships, Gray told Axios.
- "I think the W is trending in the right direction to allow us… to make more money," she said.
Flashback: Gray played basketball at Washington County High School before she enrolled at the University of North Carolina in 2013.
- She played for the Tar Heels before transferring to the University of South Carolina where she played under head coach Dawn Staley, according to ESPN.
- She was drafted into the WNBA for the Dallas Wings in 2017 and was named Rookie of the Year that same year.
- She won a gold medal in women's 3x3 basketball in the 2020 Olympics and joined the Atlanta Dream in 2023.
Fun fact: Gray co-owns a WNB Factory restaurant in Milledgeville (about two hours southeast of Atlanta) with her brother, A.J. Gray and partner, Tim Magnum Jr.
In the weeds: When she's not playing or practicing, Gray says she's more of a "homebody."
- DoorDash is her go-to app for ordering food, with American Deli, Cook Out and (of course) WNB Factory being her three favorite restaurants.
- She also likes Waffle House where her go-to order is the All-Star Special.
- Gray is also a big-time gamer and likes to stream on Twitch.
- She also likes to play golf.
What we're watching: Gray said the Dream is making a turnaround and things are looking up for the rest of the season.
- "Now that we are all healthy with Rhyne [Howard] and Jordin [Canada] back, you just see a complete 360 of our team," she said, referring to her teammates who returned to the court after suffering injuries.
What's next: The Dream plays Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday at 10pm Eastern in Arizona.
- They'll return to the Gateway Center in College Park this Friday when they take on the Dallas Wings at 7:30pm. Get tickets.