CINCINNATI — Five Ohio high school basketball players were named McDonald’s All Americans this year. One of them has had a unique path thanks to being coached by her dad.
What You Need To Know
- Five Ohio high school basketball players were named McDonald’s All Americans
- Chance Gray, a senior at Winton Woods, previously of Lakota West, is one of them
- Gray has been coached by her dad, Carlton, her entire high school basketball career, and even before on AAU teams
- Gray was also named a finalist for the Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year. She is playing at Oregon next year
Chance Gray is a natural on the basketball court. She says it’s thanks to her coach who also happens to be her dad.
“He’s taught me the game of basketball, I wouldn’t want anyone else to teach me,” Chance said. “It’s been really good just having him by my side all these years.”
But he never lets her off easy.
“He’s really hard on me,” Chance said. “Harder than a lot of other kids. But I get used to it.”
Carlton Gray says it’s because he always knew his youngest daughter could be a star.
“I honestly see the talent that she has, so I never wanted her to waste that,” Carlton said. “So, I’ve always taken the approach that whether she makes it or doesn’t, I just didn’t want to be the one to feel like I allowed her to coast and not get the most out of her ability.”
And a star she is. This year, Chance was named the Division 1 District 16 player of the Year, a Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year finalist, and a McDonald’s All-American just to name a few accolades.
“Just to be recognized as one of the best girls in the country is a really big deal for me and something I’ve worked towards my whole entire life,” Chance said.
And now, the senior is reflecting on her final games as a high school player and looking forward to her future playing for the Oregon Ducks. Choosing the Pac-12 rival of her dad’s alma mater, UCLA.
“I wanted to be different,” she said. “I really liked UCLA and everything it had to offer, but it was a gut feeling with Oregon.”
Four other Ohioans were named McDonald’s All Americans this year. They are KK Bransbord (Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame) (Notre Dame signee), Kyla Oldacre (Mason) (University of Miami signee), Grace VanSlooten (Toledo Notre Dame, transferred to IMG Academy) (Oregon signee), and Chris Livingston (Akron Buchtel, transferred to Oak Hill Academy) (Kentucky signee).
