For Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, a three-time WNBA All-Star and reigning Skills Challenge champion, elite athleticism doesn’t end when she steps off the court—but her off-hours look nothing like a locker room. Instead, her evenings are a carefully crafted routine of calm, creativity, and comfort, offering a rare glimpse into how professional athletes navigate recovery and mental health in a high-performance environment.
Gray, 29, has steadily established herself as one of the WNBA’s most consistent guards. Her powerful drives, perimeter shooting, and playmaking under pressure have earned her accolades, but behind the scenes, she relies on a deliberate nightly ritual to maintain balance. In a recent SELF magazine feature, Gray detailed the ways she unwinds, revealing a side of athletic preparation that doesn’t show up on stat sheets—but may be just as vital.
Her wind-down begins after a full day of training or game travel. First, she showers—usually warm and relaxing—and eats a late dinner, often prepared ahead or ordered from trusted spots near her apartment. Then the decompression truly begins. One of Gray’s unique habits is watching golf videos. It’s not just idle scrolling; she’s an avid golfer who brings her clubs on road trips. The slow pace and concentration of golf, she says, helps slow her thoughts and gives her brain a break from the nonstop pace of basketball.
From there, Gray turns to more hands-on, meditative hobbies. Chief among them: LEGO building. Her favorite sets include elaborate Marvel and Star Wars kits—some of which can take several sessions to complete. Far from just a quirky pastime, Gray describes the activity as deeply soothing. The step-by-step nature of assembling pieces into something tangible is, for her, a focused mindfulness practice. She’s even teamed up with Dream teammate Rhyne Howard to build sets together, turning it into a social and relaxing shared ritual.
This blend of solo activity and connection helps Gray stay grounded. In an era when many pro athletes share intense workout routines or business ventures on social media, Gray offers a refreshingly analog approach: keep your hands busy, stay present, and lean into activities that require nothing but your full attention and patience.
Her grooming routine is equally intentional but minimal. She uses familiar, comforting products—Burst electric toothbrush, EOS vanilla cashmere body wash, and cocoa butter lotion—creating a consistent sensory experience that cues her body for rest. There’s no over-the-top skincare regimen or spa-grade routine, just a reliable rhythm that centers her.
Once she’s settled into her space, Gray often plays Tomb Raider on her Lenovo Legion Go handheld console. Gaming is more than just entertainment for her—it’s a bridge to family memories. She grew up playing video games with her brothers, and Tomb Raider in particular remains a favorite. The focus it demands and its nostalgic value add emotional comfort to her routine, enhancing her mental reset before sleep.
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Reading is another key element. She gravitates toward young adult fantasy and historical fiction, genres that offer immersive worlds far removed from the intensity of professional basketball. Her current book stack includes Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, a modern fantasy centered on a Black teenage heroine at a university with secret magic traditions. For Gray, reading is an act of escapism and imagination—a last step in slowing her mental gears before lights out.
Gray usually aims for bedtime between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., recognizing sleep as a cornerstone of recovery. While many athletes focus on the physical toll of the game, Gray gives equal weight to the emotional and cognitive fatigue that comes with elite competition. Her routine supports both body and mind, reducing cortisol levels, clearing mental clutter, and preparing her for another day of high-stakes performance.
What stands out most about Gray’s ritual isn’t its extravagance, but its relatability. It’s a reminder that even at the top of one’s game, the path to wellness can be simple and rooted in joy. In an industry where sleep can be elusive and stress ever-present, Gray’s approach is both therapeutic and strategic. She’s turned her evenings into a refuge, where Legos, golf, gaming, and fiction offer a kind of mental athleticism—resilience by way of ritual.
Her story echoes a broader trend among elite athletes: embracing downtime not as weakness or passivity, but as an essential part of performance. Gray’s nighttime rituals show that elite preparation includes knowing when—and how—to switch off.
