In SELF’s Sleeping With… collection, we ask folks from completely different profession paths, backgrounds, and levels of life how they make sleep magic occur.
Together with her third consecutive WNBA All-Star look quick approaching, you would possibly assume that Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Grey can be battling a case of nerves. Not solely is the stage a large one, however she’ll additionally must observe up her über-impressive exhibiting finally yr’s All-Star Weekend, the place she turned the primary hooper to win each the WNBA Expertise Problem and the 3-Level Contest in the identical season. “For me to win each of ’em, I imply, it was a tremendous feeling,” she tells SELF through Zoom main as much as 2025’s huge recreation, which will probably be held on July 19. “It was cool to make historical past. That was only a nice accomplishment in my profession.”
In one other milestone, this yr marks the primary time Grey has earned a beginning nod for the All-Star recreation. The truth is, she’s solely the second participant within the historical past of the Atlanta Dream to be named an All-Star in three straight seasons, and she or he’s the primary Dream participant to begin in an All-Star Sport since 2018. “Simply being an All-Star is an honor inside itself, however this season, being an All-Star starter, that’s much more thrilling,” she says.
So sure, the strain is on—however by some means, Grey is chilling. Overthinking, she reveals, is one thing her dad taught her to keep away from (“Simply play free,” she says), and that recommendation has clearly served her properly all through her profession (as accolades like her 2017 Rookie of the Yr title, her Olympic gold medal in 3×3 basketball, and her soon-to-be three All-Star appearances present). “I’m at my finest after I don’t overthink, as a result of whenever you are likely to overthink, it impacts different elements of your recreation,” she says. “So for me, I simply let it go in a single ear and out the opposite.”
Whereas, certain, it could be good to tug off a victory (to not point out win both or each the Expertise Problem and 3-Level Contest once more), her main mission for the 2025 All-Star Weekend is fairly down-to-earth: “I’m simply stepping into…to have enjoyable,” she says. With a number of days to go till tip-off, SELF caught up with Grey to ask how she preps for mattress after a protracted day, since a very good night time’s sleep is vital to a high-powered on-court efficiency. Beneath, you’ll discover all the small print.
I’ll begin by kicking again with a present or two.
After observe, I come house, take a pleasant, scorching bathe, heat up my meal—we get meals on the health club, so what I eat will depend on regardless of the chef makes that day—and sit down. I’m often house by 4 p.m. Relying on how I’m feeling, both I’m watching YouTube movies or I’m on Hulu or Netflix. I’m heavy on YouTube. I like YouTube. That’s most likely my favourite factor to be on. I’m so into YouTube that I’ve YouTube Premium as a result of I don’t just like the adverts interrupting my movies.