Justin Gray (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Justin Gray is a professional basketball
player known for his proficient college career at Wake Forest University
and who's been fluctuating from team to team in Europe.
, 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.
, 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 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. 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 was not drafted by the NBA.
. 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 currently plays for the Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany
, where he is averaging 19 points and nearly 4 assists.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player known for his proficient college career at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
and who's been fluctuating from team to team in Europe.
High School
After leaving West Charlotte High School, Justin played his last year of high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, a prep basketball program that has produced 22 NBA players such as stars Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A 6'9" small forward/shooting guard who is also capable of playing power forward, Durant was the consensus 2007 National College Player of the Year and the...
and Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...
. 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 YaleYale Bulldogs men's basketball
The Yale Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, competing in the Ivy League. The team plays home games in the John J. Lee Amphitheater of the Payne Whitney Gymnasium...
, in which Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference and their homecourt is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Their only Final Four appearance was in 1962 and through the years they have produced several NBA players. The Demon Deacons have...
easily was victorious. Shooting mostly outside shots, Gray's field goal percentage
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
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
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
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
Chris Paul
Christopher Emmanuel Paul is an American professional basketball point guard for the New Orleans Hornets.Paul was born and raised in North Carolina. Despite only playing two varsity basketball seasons in high school, he was a McDonald's All-American and accepted a scholarship with nearby Wake...
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 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
Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its home court is the Hagan Arena. The team's only Final Four appearance in 1961 was removed from the NCAA records due to a gambling scandal. Through...
in an intense Sweet 16 match up, in which Gray scored 23 points. During the 2004–05 season
2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,...
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
West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team represents West Virginia University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. It is a member of the Big East Conference. West Virginia most recently reached the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, led by...
in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament
2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St...
. 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
2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana...
. Gray silently had his best season yet, averaging 18.2 points a game. Gray was not drafted by the NBA.
Professional career
Gray went overseas to play pro basketball in Europe, first with Velviers Perpinster and later with CEZ NymburkeCEZ Basketball Nymburk
ČEZ Basketball Nymburk is a professional basketball team that plays in the top professional Czech basketball league, the NBL. The team is based in the town of Nymburk. The club's main sponsor is ČEZ, a Czech energy company.-History:...
. 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
Turów Zgorzelec
PGE Turów Zgorzelec is a Polish professional basketball team that is based in Zgorzelec. The club plays in the Polska Liga Koszykówki and the Eurocup. The club's home court is Centrum Sportowe .- History :...
. He currently plays for the Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he is averaging 19 points and nearly 4 assists.