In a moment that blended hometown pride with professional ambition, Winton Woods graduate Chance Gray etched her name into the WNBA record books on May 13. The 24th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Gray scored her first career basket for the Los Angeles Sparks in an 87-78 loss to the Indiana Fever.
Playing 16 minutes off the bench, the rookie guard made the most of her opportunity, sinking a single field goal that represented far more than just two points. It was the culmination of years of dedication, from her standout high school career to her collegiate stints at Oregon and Ohio State.
Her father, Carlton Gray—a former NFL player and current Winton Woods head girls basketball coach—couldn't contain his pride. Taking to X, he shared a highlight clip from the Sparks and wrote, "Congratulations on your first WNBA points @chancegrayy. Just keep striving to be your best." It was a touching moment between a father and his daughter, both deeply embedded in the world of sports.
Gray's milestone came against a Fever team featuring two of the league's brightest stars. Princeton graduate and WNBA veteran Kelsey Mitchell poured in 23 points, while rookie sensation Caitlin Clark added 24 points and nine assists, showcasing the kind of firepower that makes the Fever a formidable opponent.
Gray's journey to the professional stage is a testament to her versatility and resilience. After spending two seasons at Oregon, she transferred to Ohio State, where she started 35 games and averaged 14.7 points per game in her senior year. Her selection by the Sparks made her the 21st Buckeye ever drafted into the WNBA, joining a proud tradition of Ohio State talent.
The Sparks, who finished the 2025 season with a 21-23 record and missed the playoffs, are clearly investing in youth. Alongside Gray, they drafted South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson at No. 20 and Kentucky's Amelia Hassett at No. 35. For Gray, this first basket is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting professional career.
Whether you're chasing your own first points or just love the game, moments like these remind us why we wear our favorite team's colors with pride. Here's to many more buckets, Chance!