Justin Gray (basketball)
Justin Gray (born March 31, 1984) is a retired American professional basketball player for U BT Cluj-Napoca of the Romanian Basketball League. He became known for his proficient college career at Wake Forest University[1] and since fluctuated from professional team to professional team in Europe. Now he is an assistant men’s basketball coach at Winthrop University.
 | |
| Winthrop Eagles | |
|---|---|
| Position | Assistant coach |
| League | Big South Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 31, 1984 Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 193 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | Wake Forest (2002–2006) |
| NBA draft | 2006 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2006–2018 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Coaching career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2006–2007 | Verviers-Pepinster |
| 2007–2008 | Belfius Mons-Hainaut |
| 2008–2009 | ČEZ Nymburk |
| 2009–2010 | Turów Zgorzelec |
| 2010–2011 | PAOK |
| 2011 | Donetsk |
| 2011 | Guangzhou Long-Lions |
| 2011–2012 | Skyliners Frankfurt |
| 2012 | Kavala |
| 2012–2013 | Poitiers 86 |
| 2013 | Pertevniyal |
| 2013–2014 | Homenetmen Beirut |
| 2014 | Rilski Sportist |
| 2014–2015 | Apollon Limassol |
| 2015–2017 | Tsmoki-Minsk |
| 2017–2018 | U BT Cluj-Napoca |
| 2018 | Tsmoki-Minsk |
| As coach: | |
| 2019–present | Winthrop (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
High school
After leaving West Charlotte High School, Justin played his last year of high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, a prep basketball program that has produced 22 NBA players such as stars Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. He was recruited heavily across the nation because of his success at Oak Hill, where he put up 16.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, but he eventually committed to playing his basketball at Wake Forest University.
College career
Gray created a stir of excitement his freshman year (2002–2003) at Wake, he scored 10 points and dished out 5 assists in his debut game against Yale, in which Wake Forest easily was victorious. Shooting mostly outside shots, Gray's field goal percentage was below 40% but even still he averaged 12.7 points per game. His performance was strong enough to be recognized by Sporting News on their 4th team All-American Freshman, while he made first team ACC Freshman and received ACC Freshman of the week one time during the 02-03 season. In the summer before Gray's sophomore year, point guard Chris Paul arrived. The Chris Paul and Justin Gray combo then became one of the best back courts in the ACC. With the assistance of Paul's prevailing passing skills Justin averaged 17.0 points per game, this time shooting 41% from the field and 38% from the 3 point line. ACC fans were convinced both players would end up in the National Basketball Association as good as they were playing together. However Wake's fans were disappointed when they were defeated by Saint Joseph's in an intense Sweet 16 match up, in which Gray scored 23 points. Gray did finish his sophomore season earning AP First Team All-ACC honors. During the 2004–05 season Justin's role on the team was reduced because sophomore Chris Paul was taking more of the load on his own, however they were upset by West Virginia in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament. Paul then left for the NBA to play for the New Orleans Hornets, leaving his roommate Gray with a poor team to work with during the 2005–06 season. Gray silently had his best season yet, averaging 18.2 points a game. Gray left Wake Forest with his name all in the record books, including 7th on the career scoring list and 2nd in 3pt field goals made.[2]
Professional career
Gray went overseas to play pro basketball in Europe, first with Velviers Perpinster and later with CEZ Nymburke. CEZ Nymburke won the Czech Republic Cup in 2008 and Justin gray scored 15.5 points per game during that season. After that Gray went to play for PGE Turow. He played the 2011-12 season for the Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany, where he is averaging 19 points and nearly 4 assists. In Frankfurt he will be remembered for "THE SHOT" the game winning 3pt shot he made against Würzburg.[3] In August 2012 he signed in France with Poitiers Basket 86.[4] In March 2013 signed with Pertevniyal Istanbul in Turkey.[5] In March 2014, Gray signed with Bulgarian team Rilski Sportist for the rest of the season.[6] In November 2014, he signed with Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.[7] On February 20, 2015, he signed with Tsmoki-Minsk of the Belarusian Premier League.[8]
The Basketball Tournament
Justin Gray played for Team Wake The Nation in the 2018 edition of The Basketball Tournament. He had seven points, six rebounds and five assists in the team's first-round loss to Team Showtime.
References
- Andy Katz (2004-10-14). "'Unsung' Gray may be best Deacon". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- "Justin Gray Profile - Wake Forest Official Athletic Site". Wakeforestsports.com. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- Justin Gray Hits A Buzzer Beater From Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 As The Fraport Skyliners Shock The S. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg 80-78
- "Poitiers agreed to terms with Justin Gray". Sportando.net. 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- "Pertevniyal Istanbul tabs Justin Gray". Eurobasket.com. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- "Rilski sportist signs Justin Gray". Sportando.com. March 7, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
- "Justin Gray and Franko Kastropil sign with Apollon Limassol". Sportando.com. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- Justin Gray signs with Tsmoki Minsk
- Winthrop bio