Chance Gray’s oblivious reaction to being drafted bodes well for Sparks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Sparks came into the WNBA Draft with three picks, two in the second round at No. 20 and No. 24 and one in the third round at No. 35. The Sparks believe they got a steal at No. 20 with South Carolina guard Ta’Niya Latson, a projected first-round WNBA draft pick, but they also feel like they got good value with Chance Gray at No. 24.
Advertisement
Chance Gray is coming off arguably the best season of her college career as a senior at Ohio State with career-bests in shooting efficiency, but it was also her reaction to the WNBA Draft that has the Sparks thinking very highly of her. During a post-draft conference call with media, Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley revealed that Gray didn’t even know she was drafted because she was going through a workout.
“Chance did not watch the draft,” Pebley said. “She was in the gym getting shots up when it went on and they had to come in the gym and let her know where she was drafted.”
Gray spent two seasons at Oregon before transferring to her Ohio State for her final two seasons of eligibility. As the two-guard playing alongside Jalonni Cambridge, Gray thrived and was also able to get more reps on ball than she had in previous seasons.
She shot career-bests of 45.3 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from 3-point range. During the her tenure with the Buckeyes, she took around six attempts from distance. For head coach Lynne Roberts’ system that stresses paint shots and 3-pointers, Gray seems to be a natural fit.
Advertisement
“She played in a system that was super up-tempo on both ends of the floor and that’s something that Lynne’s system is really about, the pace and the space,” Pebley said. “We were number one in pace in the league last year and that’s something we’re going to want to continue. But also, just that ability that she has, we felt like she works really hard on her body.”
As of right now, the Sparks have 10 players under contract in Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, Ariel Atkins, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, Rae Burrell, Erica Wheeler, Julie Vanloo, Emma Cannon and Sania Feagin. They have a qualifying offer out to Alissa Pili. Assuming Pili signs, that leaves one roster spot open. Presumably, that would go to Latson.
But the challenge of late round draft picks like Gray and the No. 35 pick Amelia Hasset trying to get their careers off the ground might not be as difficult as it’s been in the past. As per the WNBA’s new CBA, each team is afforded two development roster spots. Those spots come with various restrictions and teams are still in the process of trying to figure out how it all works.
Training camp opens on Sunday, April 19, and Pebley acknowledged that the Sparks definitely have plans to utilize the two extra roster spots they essentially have this season.
Advertisement
“There’s a lot of conversations about how people are going to use it. I think there’s going to be a lot of players coming up, very good players that are going to be waived off of teams. You’re going to see some players I think, get picked up and potentially moved into these player development spots, Pebley said. “We’re really excited. The player development staff that we have been able to put together this year … all have rooting in that PD spot. We really believe we’re going to be able to do some great things with that role.”
Related: Sky, Sparks trade grades for Rickea Jackson-Ariel Atkins swap
Related: Sparks re-sign locker room favorite to camp contract
