Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces became just the fourth player from a California high school to be named WNBA Finals MVP on Sunday after the Aces won their first WNBA title with a 78-71 win over the Connecticut Sun.
And looking at history, Chelsea, who was the 2009 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year from St. Mary’s of Stockton, could be headed for more than one WNBA Finals MVP award in her career. That’s because the other three from the state before her all won it more than once — all-time greats Diana Taurasi from Don Lugo of Hills (twice), Lisa Leslie from Morningside of Inglewood (twice) and Cynthia Cooper from Locke of Los Angeles (four times).
The WNBA Finals began in 1997 and the first six MVPs were all won by Cooper and then Leslie.
Here is the complete list:
WNBA FINALS MVPS FROM CALIFORNIA
2022 – Chelsea Gray, Stockton St. Mary’s (Las Vegas Aces)
2014 – Diana Taurasi, Chino Don Lugo (Phoenix Mercury)
2009 – Diana Taurasi, Chino Don Lugo (Phoenix Mercury)
2002 – Lisa Leslie, Inglewood Morningside (Los Angeles Sparks)
2001 – Lisa Leslie, Inglewood Morningside (Los Angeles Sparks)
2000 – Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Locke (Houston Comets)
1999 – Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Locke (Houston Comets)
1998 – Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Locke (Houston Comets)
1997 – Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Locke (Houston Comets)
