DALLAS — Allisha Gray’s appearance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is set to make history. Gray, along with the other members of Team USA’s 3x3 basketball team, is the first to compete in the competition. It’s an accomplishment that Gray said she will cherish forever.
“It feels great,” Gray said. “I’ll forever be in history to be the first to do it, so it’s definitely a blessing. I’m very excited about this opportunity.”
Gray, a guard for the Dallas Wings, was selected fourth in the 2017 Women’s National Basketball Association draft. The 26-year-old native of Sandersville, Ga., is in her fifth professional season with the Wings. Recounting the moment she found out she was selected from the national pool to be on the team, Gray immediately shared the breaking news with her loved ones.
“The first thing I did was call my parents to tell them the news,” Gray said smiling. “They were the first ones I called to tell them I made them team.”
It was nothing but thrills when her parents learned of their daughter’s latest accolade, Gray said.
“My parents are so supportive of me and what I do and just the sacrifices that they made when they could’ve done something else,” she said. “But, they would rather help me achieve my dreams. So, they were very excited.”
Along with Gray, Chicago Sky’s Stefanie Dolson, Seattle Storm’s Katie Lou Samuelson and Las Vegas Aces’ Kelsey Plum make up Team USA’s Women 3x3 basketball squad. The 3x3 basketball is one of more than a dozen new events added to existing sports to debut at this year’s competition among a record-high of 339 events across 41 sports. According to Team USA, 613 athletes will compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"USA Basketball is very proud to announce the first U.S. Olympic 3x3 Basketball Team," said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO, in a press release. "These four players not only are outstanding athletes, but they will be excellent representatives for our country in this new Olympic discipline. All four have significant USA Basketball experience and most recently won the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifier, which earned this 3x3 berth to Tokyo."
In May, the quartet went 6-0 in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifier in Austria.
“The Olympic qualifier tournament was like our first big tournament playing together,” Gray said. “We don’t play the 3x3 like other countries do year-around. We’re more of a 5x5, so it was cool.”
Although it’s a different type of game, Gray insists the goal is still the same— win gold. The game will be played on a half court. It will end after 10 minutes or when either team hits 21 points, whichever comes first. Baskets made inside the arc will count as one point and shots outside the arc are worth two points. Between the Olympic qualifier and training, the quartet had the ability to learn more about each other’s game, such as shot selection and each one's passing game.
“We got to train together in the off-season before the WNBA season,” Gray said. “We had training camps and we were able to train together and play a little tournament before the Olympic Qualifier Tournament. So, each tournament, we got better and better and built a chemistry to play with each other.”
Gray notes the 3x3 event will have its challenges compared to her typical 5x5 games with the Wings. There will be seven teams joining the U.S. in Tokyo, including China, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, France, Japan and Italy.
“Even though it’s a 10-minute game, it’s just ongoing,” she said. “You can only sub on dead balls. It’s no coaches, so it’s very intense. But, I’ll say the biggest thing is cardio and definitely the physicality of the game.”
The game of basketball brings Gray much joy, but she also understands the pressure that comes with playing for the Olympic gold.
“The biggest thing is just staying focused,” she said. “In games, you hit adversities. But, it’s about how you’re able to overcome them. We just have to remain focused and win. And if we hit adversities, just be strong and overcome them.”
Becoming an Olympian has been a dream of Gray’s and now, it’s a dream materialized.
“Not too many people get to go to the Olympics and compete for a gold medal,” she said. “For me to be in this position, I definitely won’t take the opportunity for granted. I’m very excited and I would say, ‘yes, this is definitely at the top of achievements of my basketball career’.”
With it being her first time traveling to Tokyo, Gray admitted that she planned to do some research to find “unique” places to visit as a tourist. However, her eyes remain on the prize.
“I just know that my main focus is to go there and compete for the gold,” she said. “So, after winning the gold medal, then I’ll be like ‘let me go look around’. But as far as my focus — it’s that gold medal.”