Chelsea Gray spent three days in December with Team USA practicing with Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and other women’s basketball stars. Gray, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is one of the team’s most experienced and accomplished stars. Besides winning back-to-back gold medals, she is also a four-time WNBA champ.
Just as the 2026 Unrivaled season opened, Gray sat with Sports Illustrated on Thursday for an interview. When asked about what she learned from playing with Clark and Bueckers, Gray responded:
“They can add to my bag, honestly. Paige (Bueckers) is a little like in and out, and her layup in practice, and I was like, ‘Imma add that to the bag.’ We talk about Caitlin’s (Clark) range and being able to do that off the dribble, so I wanna get better off the dribble.”
Chelsea Gray, a nine-year WNBA veteran, faced off against Caitlin Clark just once last season due to Clark’s injury-plagued season. In their lone encounter in June, the Indiana Fever star delivered 19 points, 10 assists and two steals. Clark did not have her shooting touch, though, making just 7 of 20 shots, including 1 of 10 from deep.
Gray had more battles against Paige Bueckers last season. They met four times, all wins for Gray’s Las Vegas Aces. Except for the first game, which the Aces won 88-84, the other three victories were blowout wins for the star-studded team. Bueckers played well, but Las Vegas had an overwhelming edge in experience and talent.
Rivals in the WNBA, Chelsea Gray, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers look to play together for Team USA’s 2026 FIBA World Cup campaign in Berlin.
Chelsea Gray and Paige Bueckers are playing in Unrivaled while Caitlin Clark sits out second straight season
Chelsea Gray returns to captain Rose BC, the inaugural winner of Unrivaled. She teams up again with Lexie Hull, Kahleah Copper and Azura Stevens. Shakira Austin and Sug Sutton are the additions, while Angel Reese took a time out.
Paige Bueckers makes her Unrivaled debut for Breeze, a new team in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Bueckers is teaming up with Aari McDonald, Kate Martin, Cameron Brink, Dominique Malonga and Rickea Jackson.
However, the league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will again be without the biggest draw in women’s basketball. Like in 2025, Caitlin Clark chose to stay out of the said tournament.
Chelsea Gray and Paige Bueckers opened the new season with wins, even as Clark remains content to support the league.
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