Sparks rookie guard gets real on growth mindset amid changing role

LOS ANGELES – It’s been a roller coaster of a ride for the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2026 season, and individually for rookie guard Chance Gray. The former Oregon and Ohio State standout has seen her role and playing time fluctuate throughout the season. She’s gone from being primarily a spot up shooter during the first few months of the season to being tasked with playing the backup point guard spot more recently.

Chance Gray went from regularly appearing in the Sparks’ rotation this season, to being squeezed out a little bit and picking up a couple of DNP’s, to back to seeing consistent minutes again. But through it all, amongst the veteran leaders the team has, she’s taken it all in as a learning experience.

“I take every time I step on the floor as a learning lesson,” Gray said during her postgame press conference following the Sparks’ loss to the Dream on Thursday. “I’m just trying to get better defensively, offensively, use being able to play the point and the two to my advantage and just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have.”

Against the Dream, Gray started off hot, knocking down two early 3-point attempts in the first half. She would finish with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field, one of the better offensive performances she’s had in the past two months.

During the first half of the season, the reason why the Sparks waived fellow rookie guard Ta’Niya Latson and signed veteran Kiana Williams was because the team needed guard depth amid the injury to Kelsey Plum and head coach Lynne Roberts didn’t want to play Gray and Latson out of position from their more natural shooting guard spot.

But with Plum gone via trade, Monique Akoa Makani, who was acquired in return, suffering an injury only two games into her debut and Williams having since been waived, Gray has seen herself check in as the backup point at times during the second half of the season. And for her, it simply comes down to making herself as impactful as she can for the team.

“Honestly I look at it as a positive, being able to be utilized in different ways. I think that can be something that can help the team,” Gray said. “So I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to do in that moment whether it’s be on the ball, just be a defender, be a spot up shooter, I just try to play for my teammates, my coaches as hard as I can and that’s what I like to do.”

Gray has appeared in a total of 33 games during her rookie season with the Sparks. She’s averaging 3.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range in a little over 10 minutes per game.

As per her rookie scale contract, she is signed through at least two more seasons before the Sparks have a team option for 2029. While the season has had its ups and downs, Gray has shown flashes of being a capable rotation player in the WNBA, and it’s probably a safe bet to assume she will be present when training camp rolls around next season.

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