Chelsea Gray’s face totally lit up when she got handed this tiny garment bag while she was on her way to the photo area for the Aces’ media day on Thursday. She was all smiles as she chatted with reporters, saying, “Last year, I was barely able to walk. I’m just in a good space right now.”
The three-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star looked absolutely radiant as she posed for pictures with her 1-year-old son, Lennox. He was rocking his own black and silver Aces jersey to match his mom’s.
Lennox had a little tumble at one point while chasing after a prop basketball and fell into the photo backdrop. But no worries, Gray was right there to scoop him up. Her wife, Tipesa, offered to help, but Gray was like, “Nah, we good.”
Gray had missed the first 12 games of last season due to a foot injury from the Aces’ 2023 WNBA championship run. But now, she’s back and better than ever, dominating as the Finals MVP of the Unrivaled offseason league in Miami. Balancing her professional career and motherhood, Gray is one of two moms on the Aces’ roster, along with Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who is expecting her second child.
Since Lennox was born in February 2024, Gray has definitely experienced a change. “Coming off the court, (Lennox) is ready to play no matter what,” Gray said. “It doesn’t matter if I won, if I had a bad game or bad practice. (I’ve learned) compartmentalizing at its finest.”
Aces coach Becky Hammon has noticed this shift in Gray, describing it as a “different level of joy.” Tipesa Gray added that Chelsea has a newfound ability to “let go,” which wasn’t always easy for her.
Gray had foot surgery late in 2023 while Tipesa was pregnant with Lennox. Gray was frustrated that she couldn’t navigate the stairs in their home while recovering. But now, she’s back to sprinting up and down the stairs, being hands-on with Lennox as he shoots hoops in their home.
“It’s pretty cool to do things as a family,” Gray said. “Yeah, I’m tired and all, but I’m not restricted, which was really tough.”
Mother’s Day is coming up, marking the family’s last weekend together before the WNBA season kicks off. The Aces will face off against the New York Liberty on May 17.
Hammon, who has two sons of her own, has felt that classic “mommy guilt” when she’s away from her kids. She’s talked to Gray about it, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and family.
Tipesa hopes that their family can serve as an example for other women basketball players. She mentioned that it used to be unheard of for players to have babies while playing in the WNBA. But times are changing, and players like Gray are proving that it’s possible to be a mom and a professional athlete.
The Grays are advocating for more support for players with children, such as providing daycare services. They believe it’s essential for players to have peace of mind while they’re at work.
As the WNBA season approaches, Hammon is determined to support moms in the league. She wants to help remove the stigma around working mothers and ensure that they feel confident in their roles on and off the court.
So, like, let’s cheer on Chelsea Gray and all the other badass moms in the WNBA. They’re showing us that you can totally rock at sports and at motherhood, all at the same time. And that, my friends, is pretty darn inspiring.
