Twelve years. That’s how long Duke women’s basketball waited to reclaim its throne. Twelve years of near-misses, heartbreaks, and rebuilding—all leading to this moment. “Just incredibly proud of our team,” head coach Kara Lawson said after the Blue Devils stormed through the ACC tournament, toppling some of the nation’s best teams three days in a row. The championship celebration was loud, but one of Duke’s most decorated alums and a WNBA Champion made sure it echoed even louder.
In a recent Instagram story, Chelsea Gray shared her excitement alongside an image of Duke’s team celebrating their 2025 ACC Championship victory. Chelsea Gray had a simple but powerful reaction: “Let’s go!!!”. It was a full-circle moment for the WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, who last saw her alma mater lift the ACC trophy in 2013. That year, Gray was a junior, leading the charge for Duke before a knee injury ended her season prematurely. Her injury was a major blow, and yet, Blue Devils proved they could win a championship without their star.
But this time, there was no heartbreak. No unfinished business. Just redemption.
Duke women’s basketball completed its revenge tour in dramatic fashion. The No. 11-ranked Blue Devils avenged each of their four regular-season ACC losses in the tournament, culminating in a dominant 76-62 win over No. 8 NC State in the championship game.
It wasn’t an easy road. The Blue Devils trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before flipping the script in the second, outscoring NC State 47-26. Oluchi Okananwa and Ashlon Jackson led the charge with 22 points each, with Okananwa recording her fifth double-double of the season. Duke’s second-half efficiency—55.2% from the field compared to 36% in the first—proved too much for NC State to handle.
It was the program’s first ACC Tournament championship since 2013 and the ninth in its storied history. More importantly, it marked a new chapter under fifth-year head coach Kara Lawson.
Gray, Thomas, and Beard celebrate Duke’s ACC Triumph
Gray wasn’t the only Duke legend celebrating the moment. Fellow Duke alum and 13-year WNBA veteran Jasmine Thomas also posted a congratulatory story featuring the team’s championship image. Thomas, who played for Duke from 2007 to 2011 before embarking on a decorated WNBA career, has always remained connected to her alma mater. She is a five-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection who won an ACC tournament with Duke in 2010.
Duke vs. UConn Duke Blue Devils guard Chelsea Gray 12 steals the ball from Connecticut Huskies guard Bria Hartley 14 as forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 23 trails the play at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Tuesday Dec. 17, 2013. UConn won, 83-61. Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT Durham NC USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 1146871 ChuckxLiddyx krtphotoslive653270
Another Duke icon, Alana Beard, joined in as well. The former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time champion with the Los Angeles Sparks simply wrote, “Congrats girls.” A fitting tribute from a player who let her game do the talking.
Duke’s ACC triumph isn’t just about breaking a 12-year drought. It’s about what comes next. The Blue Devils have positioned themselves as a serious contender in the NCAA Tournament, with ESPN’s Charlie Creme projecting them as a No. 3 seed. After Sunday’s dominant win, a jump to a No. 2 seed isn’t out of the question.
The message from Duke’s WNBA veterans is clear—this team has brought the program back to its rightful place. Chelsea Gray, Jasmine Thomas, and Alana Beard all paved the way for moments like this. Now, a new generation of Blue Devils under Coach Kara Lawson is writing its own story, fueled by the legacy of those who came before them.
Duke is back. And this time, they’re here to stay.
The post WNBA Veteran Sends Powerful 2-Word Message on National Team Ending 12-Year ACC Curse appeared first on EssentiallySports.
