Las Vegas Aces, point guard Chelsea Gray has signed a contract extension Tuesday through 2025, solidifying her commitment to the team and city that she now calls home.
Gray, a pivotal player in the Aces' lineup, expressed her deep connection to the franchise and its community.
“I love this franchise, this team and the city of Vegas,” Gray said in a statement, per the Associated Press. “It's become my home. It's my family's home. I'm about championships and chasing history. We're so close and we've created a trust, a bond, and want the best for each other all the time. I get to play alongside some future hall of famers that love winning as much as I do. We're chasing a legacy here in Vegas.”
Gray's contract extension prevents her from entering unrestricted free agency, a prospect that was looming at the end of this season. The deal not only secures Gray's future with the Aces but also sets a tone of continuity as the team aims for a rare three-peat in the WNBA championships.
With an impressive track record, Gray has been a cornerstone of the Aces' success. Since joining the team in the 2021 offseason, she’s been instrumental in leading the Aces to two consecutive WNBA titles. Her performance peaked during the 2022 postseason, where she averaged 21.7 points and seven assists, and achieved shooting splits of 61.1% from the field and 54.4% from the three-point line, earning her the Finals MVP title.
Chelsea Gray still recovering from foot injury
Gray carried 2022’s stellar statistics into lasr season, with averages of 15.3 points, 7.3 assists and four rebounds per game. However, her contract extension with the Aces comes at a time when she is recovering from a left foot injury sustained during last year's WNBA Finals. She has been sidelined during training camp.
“We'll be reevaluating her daily, but also probably in a couple of weeks,” coach Becky Hammon said. “She's a little dinged up right now, so we'll take that one step at a time.”
Gray's journey in the WNBA began when she was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. After a season with the Sun, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, where she won her first championship in 2016. Gray's experience on the court has earned her a reputation as one of the league's top point guards, a status cemented by her five All-Star appearances.
Under the leadership of Hammon and alongside other standout players like A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, the Aces are positioned as the frontrunners in the WNBA. This off-season, the team strengthened its lineup by re-signing Kiah Stokes and adding Megan Gustafson to their frontcourt. Additionally, the Aces made strategic draft picks, including Dyaisha Fair, Kate Martin, Elizabeth Kitley and Angel Jackson, aimed at bolstering their roster for future campaigns.
Looking ahead, the Aces are not just focusing on immediate success but are also laying the groundwork for sustained dominance. Gray's extension is part of a broader strategy that includes securing key players before they hit free agency. With Wilson already signed through the 2025 season and upcoming negotiations with Plum and Young, the Aces are clearly committed to their core group.
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