{"id":688032,"date":"2026-06-06T14:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T14:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/688032\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T14:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T14:14:13","slug":"chance-gray-making-herself-a-dependable-bench-option-for-sparks-with-her-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/688032\/","title":{"rendered":"Chance Gray making herself a dependable bench option for Sparks with her defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a>During the WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun at People’s Bank Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, USA on May 30, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Poss<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Sparks have been a disappointment early in the 2026 season, and part of that is out of their control. Their new veteran players are still gelling defensively and Kelsey Plum\u2019s absence due to an ankle injury set their offense back.<\/p>\n

One positive surprise has been rookie Chance Gray, a second-round pick who has made her way into the Sparks regular rotation due to a surprising reason.<\/p>\n

Her defense.<\/p>\n

Gray is averaging just 2.6 points per game in 11.6 minutes and shooting 36.4%, but has found herself involved in every game.<\/p>\n

Part of that was missing Plum for three games, but Gray has impressed the Sparks defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe gets the job done,\u201d said Sparks forward Rae Burrell. \u201cI try to tell her to stay aggressive, shoot the ball, because you know she\u2019s a great shooter. So I want her to not even second guess it, to know that we all believe in her to shoot it and keep shooting, but yeah, and then honestly, I feel like her defense is underrated too. She plays really good defense, she\u2019s aggressive, she stays down, she can move her feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

A prolific scorer in college at Oregon and Ohio State, Gray believed her defense is what would keep her in the WNBA. So far, she has been a bright spot for the worst defensive team in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s been a great surprise in that regard,\u201d said head coach Lynne Roberts. \u201cA lot of times from college players, they come in, and the offense comes easier than the defense. But she has a way of keeping the ball (in front of) her. She\u2019s got a strong base, and she\u2019s really smart, but from the first day of training camp, she can defend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her 105.0 individual defensive rating is the best on the team among players averaging more than two minutes. That would rank last on three teams (Indiana, Atlanta and Dallas), but for the Sparks, it\u2019s made her a valuable part of the backcourt.<\/p>\n

Especially as Erica Wheeler has transitioned into being a primary ballhandler, the Sparks have mixed up the backcourt a bit. Initially, Plum was projected as the team\u2019s point guard after playing most of her career as a two.<\/p>\n

But as the Sparks offense has struggled to find its identity and Wheeler has struggled to shoot early and Ariel Atkins\u2019 efficiency is coming along, Gray\u2019s minutes have increased. Her ability to guard the perimeter has been a big reason why.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something I had to focus on my senior year in order to be able to have a chance at the WNBA,\u201d Gray said. \u201cOhio State is a defensive minded program, and that\u2019s something that I had to adjust to coming from Oregon my junior and senior year. So it\u2019s something I made a focal point.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to want to play defense and it\u2019s not a choice. (But) I\u2019ve made it a choice. Made it a thing to play defense every possession I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gray, drafted 24th overall, was projected as a potential offensive bench spark in the WNBA. That\u2019s what Roberts admitted the Sparks wanted her for. While Ta\u2019Niya Latson has been given time to develop as a point guard, Gray\u2019s defense put her higher on the depth chart than they anticipated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t anticipate her to have really solid defense yet,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cWe picked her because she can shoot it\u2026 That\u2019s a work in progress, but we\u2019re really impressed with her so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

Los Angeles is playing at a lightning fast pace with Gray on the floor, averaging 102.4 possessions per 40 minutes with her in the game. That\u2019s partially because she has made, partially because she has made the Sparks\u2019 transition offense better by holding teams down defensively.<\/p>\n

The Sparks have often said they operate as Plum goes offensively, and that\u2019s true. Defensively, they still have a ways to go, but Gray\u2019s presence will help push them in the right direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s further along than most rookies, particularly at that perimeter spot,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cSo been super impressed with her, and as she continues to show up the way she does, her role is going to continue to grow. But you know, every time she shoots it, I think it\u2019s going in, and she can get it out quick, and it\u2019s been fun to see her develop.\u201d<\/p>\n