Three-time WNBA All-Star Chelsea Gray signs with Las Vegas Aces

ESPN's Mechelle Voepel reported on Thursday that three-time WNBA All-Star and free agent Chelsea Gray is leaving the Los Angeles Sparks to sign with the Las Vegas Aces. 

Gray spent the past five seasons with the Sparks and was part of the team that won the 2016 WNBA championship. She made her first and only All-WNBA First Team appearance for the 2019 campaign and averaged 14.0 points, 5.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds last season. 

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported on Wednesday that Candace Parker is also leaving the Sparks to sign with the Chicago Sky. While Gray and Parker are friends, Gray told ESPN they individually elected to leave Los Angeles. 

"This is about my process and what I wanted in the future," Gray explained. "I had amazing years in L.A. The organization became family, and we won a championship. But I felt that it was time for something new. That's why I was full-steam ahead with this free-agency process, and I felt Vegas was the best fit for me now and in the future.

"I think that's part of human nature, being interested in going to a different place. That was the draw as well: some new scenery, new experience, new opportunities."

The Aces fell to the Seattle Storm in the 2020 WNBA Finals. Earlier this month, the league confirmed that Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis purchased the Aces from MGM Resorts International.