Drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Duke star Chelsea Gray missed the 2014 season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in January. She will join the Sun for the 2015 season.
This is the fifth in an occasional series of blogs Chelsea Gray has been writing for the team. To read the first one, click HERE. The second one is available HERE , the third is HERE and the fourth is available HERE.
Excitement and gratitude are the two words that first come to mind as the 2015 WNBA season is approaching. I’m excited to be a part of something that holds a prestigious legacy from the exceptional athletes that came before me. I feel a sense of thankfulness to competitors like Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper and Nykesha Sales, who helped pave the way for young athletes like myself. I am also thankful to the Connecticut Sun for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love so much.
I was finally able to compete at a high level and be back on the court. I was blessed with the opportunity to play overseas in Israel. I played for Rishon Le-Zion my first season as a professional athlete, and I had a great experience. The players and staff were so welcoming to me in their team, culture and country. Outside of basketball, one of the most memorable experiences was traveling to Jerusalem to see the Western Wall. In addition, I was able to stop by and enjoy the view and likes of the Dead Sea.
My joy and excitement went to the next level when I finally felt like I wasn’t dragging a lingering knee injury along with me while competing. I appreciate the support from the players and staff at Connecticut while playing in Israel. My first season overseas taught me how to be more self-sufficient and adapt to a different style of play. I believe that both lessons will be beneficial as I enter my rookie season in the WNBA.
My excitement went into overdrive after the 2015 WNBA draft. My former Duke teammate, Elizabeth Williams, is coming to Connecticut! Her athleticism, great hands and knack for the ball make me eager to get started. We already have an established chemistry and understanding of how each other plays and I am so excited to begin a different legacy here at Connecticut. In addition to Williams, my teammate from my freshmen year, Jasmine Thomas, also became part of the Sun family. She was an amazing leader for me my first year at Duke and really helped my transition from high school to college.
I can’t wait to come to Connecticut and play in front of an amazing crowd. The support I have already received, without having yet put on a Connecticut Sun uniform, has been remarkable. The 2015 WNBA Season is only just over a month away! It will be a great one. Be ready CT fans!
Let’s Go Sun!