Chelsea Gray news
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The gist
Chelsea Gray and Team USA beat Italy 55-52, then Czechia 105-64, reaching the World Cup semifinals.
Gray is now a veteran leader on a rebuilt US roster chasing a 33-game World Cup win streak.
Background
Chelsea Gray, who plays for the Las Vegas Aces, is on the Team USA roster for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. Coach Kara Lawson has started the same five returning senior players — Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Gray, Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young — in every game. With no Diana Taurasi or A'ja Wilson around, pulling the team together falls to Stewart and Gray, both through their play and how they lead teammates.
How it unfolded
- Sep 4, 2026Four Aces players, including Chelsea Gray, go undefeated on opening day of the World Cup.
- Sep 6, 2026Team USA beats Italy 55-52; Gray hits a jumper to make it a five-point game. Gray says the group is new and must keep working to play better together.
- Sep 6, 2026Angel Reese comments 'Lakeishaaaaaaa' on Gray's Instagram photos of herself in her Team USA uniform.
- Sep 7, 2026Group play ends with a 105-64 win over Czechia and a 3-0 record; the US has now won 33 consecutive World Cup games.
- Sep 9, 2026An ESPN quarterfinal preview lists Gray among the five returning senior players started by coach Kara Lawson each game.
- Sep 10, 2026Gray and Jackie Young advance to the semifinals with Team USA; Steph Talbot and Australia bow out in the quarterfinals.
Who’s saying what
- Expert
- Tina Charles, a three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, said on TNT's FIBA World Cup studio show that after the Italy game she didn't see anyone pull Team USA together and essentially say, 'Enough, get it together, let's end this now.'
- Party
- Gray said after the Italy game that the group is new and they have to keep working to play better together.
Still unverified
Reuters Connect states the video asset is provided by EFE and that Reuters Connect has not verified or endorsed the material.