Chance Gray making herself a dependable bench option for Sparks with her defense
Head coach Lynne Roberts has admitted the rookie's defensive prowess has been a welcome surprise
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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’s absence due to an ankle injury set their offense back.
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.
Her defense.
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.
Part of that was missing Plum for three games, but Gray has impressed the Sparks defensively.
“She gets the job done,” said Sparks forward Rae Burrell. “I try to tell her to stay aggressive, shoot the ball, because you know she’s 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’s aggressive, she stays down, she can move her feet.”
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.
“She’s been a great surprise in that regard,” said head coach Lynne Roberts. “A 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’s got a strong base, and she’s really smart, but from the first day of training camp, she can defend.”
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’s made her a valuable part of the backcourt.
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’s point guard after playing most of her career as a two.
But as the Sparks offense has struggled to find its identity and Wheeler has struggled to shoot early and Ariel Atkins’ efficiency is coming along, Gray’s minutes have increased. Her ability to guard the perimeter has been a big reason why.
“That’s something I had to focus on my senior year in order to be able to have a chance at the WNBA,” Gray said. “Ohio State is a defensive minded program, and that’s something that I had to adjust to coming from Oregon my junior and senior year. So it’s something I made a focal point.
“You have to want to play defense and it’s not a choice. (But) I’ve made it a choice. Made it a thing to play defense every possession I can.”
Gray, drafted 24th overall, was projected as a potential offensive bench spark in the WNBA. That’s what Roberts admitted the Sparks wanted her for. While Ta’Niya Latson has been given time to develop as a point guard, Gray’s defense put her higher on the depth chart than they anticipated.
“We didn’t anticipate her to have really solid defense yet,” Roberts said. “We picked her because she can shoot it… That’s a work in progress, but we’re really impressed with her so far.”
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’s partially because she has made, partially because she has made the Sparks’ transition offense better by holding teams down defensively.
The Sparks have often said they operate as Plum goes offensively, and that’s true. Defensively, they still have a ways to go, but Gray’s presence will help push them in the right direction.
“She’s further along than most rookies, particularly at that perimeter spot,” Roberts said. “So 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’s going in, and she can get it out quick, and it’s been fun to see her develop.”