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THE INTERVIEW
with Chelsea Gray
The-Interview-Chelsea-Gray

FAST FACTS

• WHAT: Chelsea Gray Basketball Clinic

• WHEN: Oct. 25

• WHERE: St. Mary’s High School gymnasium, 5648 North

El Dorado Street, Stockton.

•WHO: Boys and girls, second through seventh grade 

(8 a.m.-noon); eighth through 12th (2-6 p.m.)

• PRICE: $80 per child, check or money order. Mail payment to: Chelsea Gray, P.O. Box 444, Manteca, Ca. 95336. Please include camper’s name, age, grade and T-shirt size.

• CONTACT: Email chelseagray209@gmail.com for more information.

Chelsea Gray was destined to assist others, whether by pass or by lesson. The former Brock Elliott Elementary School student has succeeded at basketball’s highest levels, winning state championships at 

St. Mary’s and earning All-American honors at Duke as a dynamic point guard. Now, after sitting out a year to rehabilitate an injured knee, Gray, 22, is ready to embark on a pro career. She was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2014 WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun, despite missing most of her junior and senior seasons with major injury.  She is the first female Mantecan to reach basketball’s professional ranks. Gray is living in Southern California now, where she’s training for her rookie season in Beverly Hills and coaching the California Storm AAU youth program. Later this month, Gray will return to the Central Valley to speak with students at Brock Elliott and host a clinic for all ages at St. Mary’s.  Though her schedule is demanding, Gray recently spoke with The Bulletin about her love of basketball, family and giving back.

 

I’m about 70-80 percent, around there. It’s really feeling good. I just want to be in the best shape possible and have the best career possible. It’s about getting the knee stronger, my quads and muscles stronger, so I don’t have to depend on the knee for certain things. It’s changing the way I land, bend and take off, so there’s not too much stress on my knee. We want the muscles around (the knee) to take most of the blow.

 

I’ve been off the court since January or February. It gets difficult, but I love the game of basketball so working out and competing in open gyms, I try to do as well as I can in those moments.

 

I wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m 100 percent confident because I haven’t played in a while. However, my confidence is higher than it has been in the past. That excites me. I still have the confidence in myself, even though I haven’t been on the court. It’s mind over matter.

 

The time I had there (Duke) was a great time. Some might say I didn’t have the career I wanted, but it was a blessing in disguise. I was still drafted, and to go as high as I did, knowing I didn’t play much of my junior and senior years, that was a blessing from God.

 

I’m pumped about my clinic. It’s an opportunity to go back to where I went to high school and give back to those athletes. They’re young and aspiring athletes trying to get to the college level or trying to make the varsity team. I want to be able to help these young athletes who might not have the opportunity to make a clinic because it’s too far.

 

I’m trying to come back to where it all started for me. I went to high school in Stockton, but I’m from Manteca. I want people to see it’s possible. Adversity might hit, but you’ve got to keep pushing. That’s what I’m passionate about; just having an effect on our youth today.

 

The family I have is unbelievable. With everything I’ve gone through – the injuries, being away – they’ve been so supportive. They instilled in me to never forget where you come from, the people who helped you and supported you.